AGP Executive Report

Judicial Cooperation at BRICS: China’s top judge Zhang Jun urged deeper BRICS judicial cooperation, including “digital justice,” as India hosted the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum (Sept 4–6) and CJI Surya Kant called for a “living Nalanda University” model that welcomes disagreement to speed up fair, predictable justice. Ethiopia’s Health Data Push: Ethiopia is preparing to launch a nationwide blood lead study to fill major gaps in blood lead data, with federal health officials planning testing of thousands of children and women across the country. Digital Health in the Region: Kenya’s digital health reforms—anchored by its Digital Health Act—are expanding health information exchange, e-claims, portals and digital hospital systems, with AI-assisted imaging and telemedicine highlighted as ways to improve access. AI for Development: IGAD says Ethiopia is building competitive AI capabilities, with applications spanning agriculture, healthcare, education and finance, and aims to share lessons regionally. Clinical Research Focus: A study on maintenance hemodialysis links inflammation–nutrition–metabolism patterns to arteriovenous fistula function and cardiovascular prognosis, underscoring the need for integrated patient care. Women’s Safety and Advocacy: Ethiopia’s Miss World representative Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilasie says she will turn grief over her sister’s abduction and murder into purpose, using the platform to spotlight violence against women and girls.

National Health Data Upgrade: Ethiopia has launched a national Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) network to fix major vital statistics gaps, linking 16 university centers under EPHI to standardize health metrics and feed policy decisions. Lead Poisoning Push: Federal health officials plan a nationwide blood lead survey covering 10,500 people to measure exposure levels where current data is patchy, with the aim of setting a clearer national burden. Maternal Health Case Spotlight: A case report describes successful treatment of advanced uterine prolapse using total vaginal hysterectomy in a postmenopausal patient, adding to clinical knowledge on a common condition. Digital Health Momentum: Ethiopia’s AI capabilities are highlighted as IGAD seeks a regional AI framework, while Kenya’s digital health reforms show how apps, data systems, and AI tools are being used to strengthen care delivery. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports that internet-using children in Kenya face high exposure to unwanted sexual content, with Ethiopia also among the countries flagged. Housing & Health Risk: A new mortgage refinance company aims to unlock long-term home loans, but analysts warn housing shortages won’t be solved by finance alone—an issue that can affect health outcomes.

Health Data Push: Ethiopia has launched a national Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) network to fix major vital statistics gaps, linking 16 university centers under EPHI and aiming to improve how births and deaths are counted nationwide. Lead Poisoning Survey: Federal health officials plan a three-month, 10,500-person blood lead study to measure national exposure, citing patchy data and a lack of representative blood lead figures. Digital Health Momentum: Kenya’s digital health reforms—covering health information exchange, e-claims, apps, and AI-assisted tools—highlight a regional push that Ethiopia can learn from as health systems modernize. Women’s Safety Spotlight: Ethiopian Miss World contestant Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilasie is using her platform to speak about the abduction and murder of her sister, with reports of arrests and renewed attention on violence against women and girls. Clinical Care Note: A case report describes successful treatment of advanced uterine prolapse using total vaginal hysterectomy, adding to local clinical knowledge.

AI for Development: IGAD says Ethiopia’s growing AI capabilities could help the region, citing practical use in agriculture, healthcare, education and finance, and pushing for an IGAD AI framework that builds on Ethiopia’s experience. Health Data Reform: Ethiopia has launched a national Health and Demographic Surveillance System network to fix major vital statistics gaps, where only about 16% of deaths are officially registered and most home births and deaths go unrecorded. Maternal Health Case Spotlight: A medical case report describes successful treatment of advanced uterine prolapse using total vaginal hysterectomy, underscoring options for severe pelvic organ prolapse. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 1 million Kenyan internet-using children were exposed to unwanted sexual content online, with Ethiopia also among the highest exposure rates, and links such abuse to higher suicidal thoughts and self-harm risk. Public Health Risk: A lead toxicity commentary warns of widespread blood lead exposure among Ethiopian children and calls for urgent public health action, including a national blood lead study. Women’s Rights & Violence: An Ethiopian Miss World contestant says she is turning her sister’s murder-related pain into advocacy, highlighting violence against women and girls.

National Health Data Boost: Ethiopia has launched a national Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) network, linking 16 university centers under EPHI to standardize vital statistics and improve health planning; officials say only about 16% of deaths are officially registered, with most births and deaths at home going unrecorded. Public Health Risk—Lead Poisoning: A new discussion highlights lead toxicity as a growing, often hidden threat, citing high exposure among Ethiopian children and calling for stronger public health action and regulation. Health System Readiness: Ethiopia is also moving to strengthen emergency care through training and assessment efforts tied to basic emergency care, aiming to reduce deaths from conditions like injuries, postpartum hemorrhage, pneumonia, and diarrhoeal disease. Housing & Health Context: A major mortgage refinance push is underway to improve housing finance liquidity, but experts warn funding alone won’t fix Ethiopia’s deeper urban housing shortage. Climate & Health Link: Youth-led tree planting in Ethiopia and Nigeria targets deforestation and soil degradation, supporting longer-term resilience for communities facing climate stress.

Gaza Displacement Push: Israeli ministers renewed calls for mass removal of Palestinians from Gaza, including “voluntary emigration” plans that name Ethiopia as a potential destination—raising fresh fears of forced expulsion. Maternal & Child Health Research: A study applies the Information–Knowledge–Attitude–Practice approach to breastfeeding support for pregnant women with high hepatitis B viral load, tackling a key gap between guidelines and real-world practice. Ethiopia Health Access & Aid: As some international aid groups scale back, church-run programs in Addis Ababa continue feeding hungry children, while families caring for autism-affected children struggle to access support. Digital Health in East Africa: East Africa’s healthcare sector is moving from pilots to routine use of AI diagnostics and telemedicine, with procurement and hospital tech adoption highlighted ahead of WHX 2026 in Nairobi. Regional AI for Health & Climate: IGAD urged member states to use AI to strengthen food security, climate early-warning, and healthcare access—while stressing data sovereignty and regional regulation. Public Health & Safety: South Korea lifted special travel advisories for parts of Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa after no active Ebola cases were found. Sudan Conflict & Civilian Harm: A UN-backed probe says foreign fighters and external support are fueling Sudan’s war, with attacks hitting hospitals, schools, and markets. Nutrition & Food Systems: African ministers called for livestock investment and value-chain reforms to cut the continent’s massive food import bill. Child Protection Online: UNICEF reports 20 million children aged 12–17 faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse across 21 countries, including Ethiopia.

AI for regional health: IGAD urged member states to use artificial intelligence to speed up development, strengthen regional integration, and expand healthcare access via AI diagnostics and disease surveillance, while stressing data sovereignty and shared regulation. Digital health procurement in East Africa: Kenya’s digital health shift is pushing AI-supported diagnostics and hospital technology onto procurement agendas, with providers moving from pilots to routine care. Child protection online: UNICEF estimates 20 million children aged 12–17 in 21 countries suffered technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a year, with Ethiopia included in the research. El Niño health risks: UNICEF warns the strengthening 2026/27 El Niño could threaten children’s nutrition, clean water, disease risk, and schooling across Eastern and Southern Africa. Sudan conflict and civilian harm: A UN-backed probe says foreign fighters and support networks are fueling Sudan’s war, with attacks reaching hospitals and schools—raising urgent public health and protection concerns. Ethiopia clinical care lesson: An Ethiopian case report highlights how a benign mesenteric cyst can mimic ascites on ultrasound for years, underscoring the need for correct imaging and diagnosis. Family planning funding push: In Sokoto, a governor’s wife pledged to help release N150m counterpart funding for family planning and maternal health support.

El Niño warning for children: UNICEF says the intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño could put 162+ million children across Eastern and Southern Africa at risk, with Ethiopia named among the vulnerable countries as drought, extreme heat, flooding, and overstretched health services threaten nutrition, safe water, education, and safety. Sudan conflict and civilian harm: A UN-backed investigation reports foreign fighters and external support are fueling Sudan’s war, strengthening both sides’ capabilities and worsening attacks on homes, hospitals, schools, markets, and places of refuge. Ethiopia’s health system financing push: UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Center of Statistics run a workshop in Ethiopia and other countries to help health ministries show health spending as an investment, using country-owned economic accounting tools. Family planning funding in Nigeria (regional health signal): Sokoto’s governor’s wife pledges timely release of N150m counterpart funding for family planning and maternal health support with UNFPA. Medical lesson from Ethiopia: A case report highlights how a benign mesenteric cyst can be mistaken for ascites on ultrasound for years, delaying correct care. Energy and food security link: Ethiopia’s clean energy expansion is framed as key to regional energy diplomacy, while experts call for renewables to power irrigation, cold storage, processing, and transport for healthier, more affordable food. Women’s parent support innovation (Ethiopia included): A Good Start Challenge backs community-owned “SafeHubs” in Ethiopia offering parenting advice, child health screening, trauma counselling, and learning support for displaced mothers.

El Niño and child health risks: UNICEF warns that over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa are exposed to worsening El Niño impacts, threatening nutrition, health services, learning, and safe water and sanitation—Ethiopia is among the countries facing heightened risks. Primary healthcare push in Ethiopia: UNECA’s chief of staff says Ethiopia’s primary healthcare gains are real, but must be sustained with stronger financing and better links between health, economic development, and environmental action. Ethiopia to map lead exposure: Ethiopia’s MoH and EPHI plan the first nationwide blood lead level study for children 6–59 months and women 15–49, aiming to quantify exposure sources and health costs. Preventive care through volunteerism: Ethiopia’s MoH says rainy-season volunteerism is expanding preventive services, including free screenings and treatment; last year, nearly 15 million people were treated for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Health financing as an investment: ECA trains Ethiopia and other countries to build health-focused social accounting tools to show how health spending drives jobs and household benefits. Sepsis survival focus: A new push argues that the first 24 hours of sepsis care are critical in Africa, where delays and limited lab and critical-care capacity can cost lives. Pesticide poisoning crisis: A study estimates up to 433 million unintentional pesticide poisoning cases yearly, with the burden highest in the Global South and eastern Africa. Blood lead study and climate shocks: Together, the lead study and El Niño warnings underline how environmental and health threats are stacking up for vulnerable communities.

El Niño warning for children: UNICEF says over 162 million children in eastern and southern Africa face rising risks from the 2026–2027 El Niño, including drought, extreme heat, flooding, food and water insecurity, overstretched health services, and disrupted learning—highlighting Ethiopia among the most affected. Ethiopia’s preventive health push: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health says its volunteerism culture is expanding preventive services nationwide, including free screenings, disease prevention activities, and rainy-season community cleanup campaigns; last year it treated nearly 15 million people for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Blood lead study planned: Ethiopia will launch its first nationwide blood lead level study in the Ethiopian New Year, targeting children 6–59 months and women 15–49, to map exposure sources and public-health impacts. Digital health momentum in East Africa: Reports highlight a shift from digital health pilots to wider hospital and government adoption of AI-assisted diagnostics, telemedicine, and electronic health records, with Kenya leading. Clinical research focus: A new discussion on sepsis care stresses that the first hours are critical in Africa, where labs and critical-care resources can be limited. Health financing and private investment: Ethiopia’s finance minister met the IFC to expand private investment, including support for sectors such as healthcare, alongside PPP plans.

Public Health: Ethiopia is set to launch its first nationwide blood lead level study before the Ethiopian New Year, led by the Ministry of Health and EPHI with Vital Strategies and the CDC Foundation, targeting children 6–59 months and women 15–49 to map exposure levels, sources, and health impacts. Digital Health: East Africa is moving from digital health pilots to broader rollout, with Kenya pushing AI-supported diagnostics, telemedicine, electronic health records, and hospital management systems under its Digital Health Act framework. Health Financing: A UN ECA workshop in Addis Ababa is training Ethiopia and other countries to build health-focused social accounting matrices, helping ministries show health spending as an economic investment. Health Supply Chains: An Africa-wide supply chain report highlights AI gains in procurement and forecasting, including Ethiopia’s reported savings from AI-enabled facility-level forecasting. Food Security Data: FEWS NET says it has stopped publishing updates for some high-need countries, raising concerns for planning in the Horn of Africa. Cybersecurity for Care Tech: Researchers warn of fake recruiter scams targeting software developers in Ethiopia and the region, using malware delivered via “coding challenges.”

Digital Health in East Africa: Kenya’s digital health reforms are moving from pilots to everyday use, with AI-supported diagnostics, telemedicine, electronic health records, hospital management systems and connected devices gaining traction as governments push interoperable systems and data governance. Health Supply Chains: Ethiopia’s Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) won a Gold Award for improved procurement and supply-chain reforms, citing digital transformation and data-driven decisions while serving hundreds of hospitals and thousands of health facilities. Cybersecurity for Health Tech Teams: Hackers are targeting software developers with fake recruiter interviews and “coding tests” that deliver malware, with reports including victims in Ethiopia—an urgent reminder for secure hiring and downloads. Health Financing for Policy Makers: A UN ECA workshop in Ethiopia and other countries is training health ministries and statistics offices to show health spending as an economic investment using social accounting matrices. Maternal Health Research: New global analysis highlights the burden and future outlook of postpartum hemorrhage, reinforcing the need for earlier and better prevention and care. Osteoarthritis Burden: Another study maps rising osteoarthritis disability and incidence among older adults, underscoring growing chronic-care needs. Food Security Data Watch: FEWS NET says some countries are missing from its famine outlook reporting, raising concerns for planning in high-need regions. Ethiopia Health Diplomacy: Ethiopia is highlighted in regional health diplomacy and WHO-related leadership activity as African health ministers push accelerated action.

Health Systems & Supply Chains: Ethiopia’s Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) won a Gold Award at the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards for improved procurement and supply-chain reforms, including digital transformation and data-driven decisions, with EPSS responsible for medicines to hundreds of hospitals and thousands of health facilities. Cancer & Prevention Tech: A UK-led study is recruiting people previously treated for early melanoma to test ASICA, a smartphone tool that guides regular skin self-checks and helps users report concerns to clinicians. Maternal & Child Health Focus: WHO and health partners are pushing strategies for a “best start in life,” while reporting highlights ongoing barriers to timely antenatal care and the need for earlier interventions to cut maternal deaths. Health Diplomacy in Addis Ababa: Ethiopia hosted the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76), bringing together ministers and delegates to review regional health priorities and endorse new strategies and resolutions. Nutrition & Food Security: An AGRA report says Africa has made real progress in agrifood systems over two decades, but stresses the need to turn production gains into farmer income, resilience and opportunity. Public Health & Displacement: Reports from the Ethiopia-border region in Sudan describe tens of thousands displaced and urgently needing shelter, drinking water, food and health services. Digital Health Innovation in Ethiopia: Bayer Foundation awards recognized Ethiopian health entrepreneur Beamlak Alemayehu for Medanit Digital Health, a multi-channel platform delivering care via app and web portal.

WHO leadership & child-safety regulation: Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin says his bid to become WHO chief is backed by President Prabowo, as the WHO leadership race narrows. Separately, a major US Meta settlement keeps child-safety features moving toward “opt-out,” a shift that could affect how platforms handle young users’ feeds. Ethiopia’s medicines supply boost: Ethiopia’s Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) wins a Gold Award for improved procurement and supply-chain reforms, citing digital tools and streamlined purchasing to better serve hospitals and health posts nationwide. Cancer prevention tech in Ethiopia-linked research: Scotland researchers are recruiting former melanoma patients for a skin self-check smartphone app (ASICA) designed to help people monitor after treatment and act on concerns sooner. Kidney care access across Africa: A new review reports strong one-year survival for kidney transplants in several countries including Ethiopia, but warns high costs and weak follow-up still limit access. Climate & health readiness in the Horn: IGAD’s early rainfall forecast for Oct–Dec urges governments and health partners to prepare for heavy rains that can disrupt food, water, and public health. Conflict and displacement near Ethiopia: Fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile border area with Ethiopia has displaced about 20,000 people, with urgent needs including drinking water and health services. Ethiopia’s health diplomacy: Ethiopia hosts the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa, reviewing regional health priorities and new strategies. Local health-linked development: Ethiopia’s beeswax boom is expanding domestic use in soap, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, adding income for beekeepers.

Kidney Care Access: A new systematic review reports kidney transplant programmes across Africa are delivering strong one-year patient survival (including Ethiopia at 92.3%), but high costs, weak transplant infrastructure, limited immunosuppressive medicines, and poor follow-up still block wider access. Health Diplomacy in Addis Ababa: Ethiopia hosted the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76), where ministers and partners backed strategies for health financing, the health workforce, and medical regulation—aimed at strengthening regional health systems. Health Workforce Crunch: WHO warns Africa could face a shortage of nearly six million health workers by 2035/2030 unless countries mobilize more domestic funding and plug financing leakages. Maternal and Child Health Focus: A regional update highlights progress such as strategies to improve early antenatal care and reduce maternal deaths, alongside evidence that maternity ward training can cut early perinatal mortality. Local Health Economy Link: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is being framed as a health-supporting climate and environment effort, with large-scale tree planting tied to medicinal plant production and resilience. Nutrition, Climate Risk: UNICEF warns climate aid cuts are leaving vulnerable children “falling through the cracks,” as droughts, heat, floods and cyclones intensify. Beeswax for Wellness Industries: Ethiopia’s beeswax boom is boosting incomes and feeding local soap, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production as domestic demand rises. Conflict and Health Needs: Violence along Sudan’s Blue Nile border with Ethiopia has displaced about 20,000 people, with urgent needs including shelters, drinking water, and health services.

Sudan–Ethiopia Border Crisis: About 20,000 people fled homes in Geisan, Blue Nile, after intensified fighting tied to RSF offensives near the Ethiopia border, with urgent needs for shelter materials, food, drinking water, and health services. Health Systems in Focus (RC76): At WHO’s 76th Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, ministers backed three 10-year strategies for 2026–2035, including plans to train and retain 3 million more health workers by 2035 and address major workforce gaps. Maternal & Child Health Gains: A Nature Medicine report highlighted that maternity-ward training and support across sub-Saharan Africa reduced early perinatal mortality by 22%. Pharma & Regulation Watch: Cameroon reported expanding pharmaceutical production units to 19 by 2026, but said local output still covers under 5% of national medicine demand. Public Health Workforce Warning: WHO warned Africa could face a shortage of nearly 6 million health workers by 2030 without stronger domestic investment. Ethiopia Development Spotlight: AU experts praised Ethiopia’s infrastructure, connectivity, and climate resilience as practical lessons for Africa’s development agenda.