AGP Executive Report

Cardiovascular Care: Ethiopia urged stronger African cooperation to tackle rising cardiovascular disease and improve prevention, early detection, and access to quality care during the Ethiopian Society of Cardiac Professionals and PASCAR 2026 congress in Addis Ababa. HIV Funding & Community Services: UNAIDS warned that cuts to HIV prevention and community programs could trigger a resurgence, even as new infections and AIDS deaths remain low; it highlighted gaps in treatment coverage and inequitable access to new prevention options. Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC said DRC’s Ebola response is facing mounting operational constraints while praising Uganda’s containment progress, urging faster detection and response to stop spread to new zones. Public Health Emergency Workforce: Ethiopia graduated 89 health professionals under the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC SURGE) with WHO and Pandemic Fund support to strengthen outbreak detection and rapid deployment. Regional Health Procurement: Kenya and partners are developing a framework to jointly procure emergency medical supplies during outbreaks, including medicines and lab equipment, to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. El Niño Risk: The AU called for urgent preparedness for the projected 2026/2027 El Niño, warning of droughts, floods, food insecurity, water shortages, and disease outbreaks. Wildlife Conflict: A cruelty-free coalition urged Ethiopia to halt planned baboon culling at Nech Sar National Park, calling for humane, non-lethal conflict prevention approaches. Digital Health Infrastructure: Ethiopia was highlighted as a development trendsetter, including its push for digital technologies and investment, while broader coverage focused on how biometric authentication is shaping digital public infrastructure.

Public Health Emergency Capacity: Ethiopia graduated 89 health professionals from the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC SURGE) after a WHO-supported, Pandemic Fund-funded training by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to help detect, investigate and respond to outbreaks within 24–48 hours. WHO Financing Push: 14 African countries, including Ethiopia, pledged over US$45 million to WHO’s first Investment Round to secure predictable funding for the next four years. Ebola Response Watch: Africa CDC warned that mounting operational constraints are hampering the fast-growing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, while noting Uganda’s progress; Africa CDC and WHO plan a visit to Bunia on Aug. 2. Regional Health Supply Cooperation: Kenya and 10 other countries are drafting a framework to jointly procure emergency medical supplies during outbreaks, aiming to cut costs and speed access. El Niño Preparedness: The AU urged stronger preparedness for the 2026/27 El Niño, projected as the strongest since 1950, warning of droughts, floods, food insecurity, water stress and disease risks. Ethiopia–Rwanda Health Links: Rwanda and Ethiopia pledged deeper cooperation, including health training links with Rwandan students pursuing advanced degrees in Ethiopia. Pediatric Cardiac Care in Zambia: An Israeli team supported Zambia’s first generation of pediatric cardiac surgeons, supervising surgeries and mentoring local staff after Richard Mbimbi’s rheumatic heart disease treatment.

El Niño Preparedness: The AU is urging faster action ahead of a forecasted 2026/27 El Niño, warning of droughts, floods, heatwaves, water stress, and knock-on risks like food insecurity and disease outbreaks. Ebola Response Watch: Africa CDC says DRC’s Ebola fight is constrained by operational gaps, even as Uganda shows progress; DRC has recorded thousands of cases and deaths, with plans to intensify early detection and response. Regional Health Procurement: Kenya and 10 other African countries are drafting a framework to jointly buy emergency medical supplies during outbreaks, aiming to cut costs and reduce reliance on overseas sources—Ethiopia included. PPR “Goat Plague” Update: Ethiopia and other African states report progress against PPR, but experts stress stronger domestic funding and political commitment to sustain eradication efforts. Ethiopia–Rwanda Health Links: Ethiopia and Rwanda say cooperation is growing in health training and research, including Rwandan students studying in Ethiopia. Water Crisis in Eritrea: AFP reports chronic water shortages in Asmara are pushing families to ration and buy costly tanker water, with health and dignity impacts. DRC Ebola Explained: A separate explainer breaks down how Ebola spreads, symptoms, and why containment is hard. Road Safety: A deadly dawn crash in Kenya’s Marsabit area highlights ongoing risks for travelers on routes linking Ethiopia and Kenya. AIDS Conference Map Error: The US State Department admitted an “unfortunate error” after a badly mislabeled Africa map appeared during health agreements at an AIDS conference.**

Climate & Health Preparedness: The African Union is pushing stronger continental coordination to blunt the health and food risks of a likely 2026 El Niño, warning of heatwaves, water stress, and higher chances of disease outbreaks. Water & Public Health: In Eritrea’s capital Asmara, chronic water shortages are forcing families to ration basic hygiene, with tankered water and fear of authorities making the crisis harder to report. Ethiopia Health Systems: Ethiopia opened two China-backed robotic surgery training centres, aiming to expand specialist skills and improve access to advanced care. Maternal Health Research: A study on midwives’ knowledge and health system challenges around pre-eclampsia highlights gaps that can delay lifesaving treatment. Livestock Disease & Food Security: Ethiopia hosted a mid-term review of the AU’s PPR (goat plague) eradication push, with experts urging more domestic funding to sustain progress. Road Safety: A dawn crash on the Marsabit–Isiolo highway killed five and injured others, underscoring ongoing transport risks for communities and patients. Health Policy & Equity: New research argues economic inequality—not just technical readiness—best predicts pandemic survival, calling for cash support, paid sick leave, and debt relief. Terminology & Harm Reduction: Journalists in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya were trained on why “FGM” matters and why “female circumcision” can downplay severity. Cardiovascular Prevention: Experts say simple cholesterol testing can help prevent heart attacks and strokes by catching high LDL earlier.

Ethiopia’s surgical capacity boost: Ethiopia opened two China-backed robotic surgery and endoscopic training centres in Addis Ababa, aiming to improve specialist skills and expand access to advanced care. Maternal health research: A cross-sectional study at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital highlights knowledge and health-system gaps in managing pre-eclampsia—an urgent issue for safer pregnancies. Neglected disease focus: WHO approved updated kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) guidelines for Eastern Africa, including a shorter, more patient-friendly oral-based regimen that cuts painful injections. Livestock health with public funding message: Ethiopia hosted a mid-term review of the AU PPR (goat plague) eradication programme, with experts urging stronger domestic investment to sustain gains. Health equity and preparedness debate: New research argues economic inequality—not just lab readiness—best predicts pandemic outcomes, with Ethiopia cited among countries faring better despite lower technical scores. Community health and prevention: Journalists from Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya were trained on accurate, non-softened language around FGM, stressing that terminology can shape public understanding and action. Health financing reform: Ethiopia and UNECA agreed to strengthen sustainable health financing reforms under the Transforming Health Financing in Africa Initiative.

Cardiovascular Prevention: Doctors say a simple blood test for hidden high LDL cholesterol could cut heart attacks and strokes, as global data links LDL to millions of deaths. Pandemic Preparedness: A New England Journal of Medicine analysis argues economic inequality—not lab stockpiles or technical readiness—is the strongest predictor of how countries survive outbreaks, urging paid sick leave, cash support, and debt relief. NCDs & Precision Medicine: Experts urge African-led genomics and precision medicine investment to tackle rising non-communicable diseases and multimorbidity. Maternal Health Research: A study highlights knowledge and health-system gaps in managing pre-eclampsia among midwives at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital. Leishmaniasis Treatment Update: WHO approved new, shorter kala-azar regimens for Eastern Africa, adding an oral drug to reduce painful injections. Health Financing in Ethiopia: Ethiopia and UNECA agreed to strengthen sustainable health financing reforms under THFAI as an early adopter. Water & Sanitation Crisis: UN officials warn over 400 million Africans lack basic drinking water and 700 million lack safely managed sanitation—hurting health and productivity. Surgical Capacity Building: Libya doctors join a China-backed robotic surgery training centre launched in Addis Ababa. Youth & Safety Signals: An African Youth Survey reports Rwanda leads on confidence and safety, while young people demand jobs, cleaner governance, and better health support.

Health Financing Reform: Ethiopia has joined UNECA’s Transforming Health Financing in Africa Initiative as an early-adopter, aiming to boost domestic resource mobilization and innovative, debt-sustainable ways to fund resilient health systems. Water & Sanitation Crisis: A UN official says over 400 million Africans still lack basic drinking water and 700 million lack safely managed sanitation, warning this is undermining health and productivity. Kala-Azar Treatment Update: Kenya is set to revise national kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) guidelines after WHO endorsed improved, shorter regimens, including an oral medicine, with trials involving Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. Tobacco Control Capacity: Public health advocates from 12 countries, including Ethiopia, trained in Lagos to better monitor and counter tobacco industry interference in policy. Migration & Health Protection: Ethiopia reports repatriation of 1,834 nationals from Saudi Arabia, including minors, with plans for airport support and reintegration for victims of irregular migration. Women’s Health Research: A study links urinary tract infection risk in gynecologic malignant tumor inpatients to factors that may guide better care planning.

Ethiopia’s Food Security Gains: Ethiopia’s “Bounty of Basket” initiative is credited with boosting household food security and production across value chains, with major jumps in egg and poultry output since launch in 2022, as Ambassador Mekuria Getachew highlights homegrown solutions. Sino-African Health Modernization: China and African partners launched Ethiopia-based programs to modernize public health care, including minimally invasive medicine and training centers for robotic surgery and endoscopic skills. AU Executive Council Focus on Water & Sanitation: Foreign ministers are arriving in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session, with water availability and safe sanitation set as the top agenda for Agenda 2063. Tobacco Control Training in Africa: Public health advocates gathered in Lagos for ATIM’s tobacco industry monitoring training, including Ethiopian participants, to strengthen efforts against industry interference in policy. HIV Funding Worries: UNAIDS warns that cuts to prevention and community services could reverse progress, even as countries including Kenya report large reductions in new infections. Food Crisis Drivers: A UN report links acute food insecurity to conflict, economic shocks, and climate extremes, urging action on root causes rather than short-term hunger relief.

Tobacco Control Training: Public health advocates from 12 African countries, including Ethiopia, met in Lagos for a five-day ATIM Tobacco Industry Monitoring training to strengthen monitoring and counter tobacco industry interference in policy. HIV Funding Warning: UNAIDS reports Kenya and others have cut new HIV infections by nearly 80% since 2010, but warns global progress is fragile as international funding drops and prevention/community services face cuts. Hepatitis Awareness: Nigeria marks World Hepatitis Day (July 28) under “Let us break it down,” highlighting hepatitis B, C, and other types and the need for education and prevention. Sino-Africa Medical Partnership: China and African partners launched initiatives in Addis Ababa to modernize care, including minimally invasive medicine and training centers for robotic and endoscopic skills. Ethiopia Food Security Gains: Ethiopia’s Bounty of Basket initiative is credited with boosting household food security and production, including major growth in eggs and poultry meat. Water & Sanitation Focus at AU: Foreign ministers arrive in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session centered on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation. Pastoralist Climate Strain: A Kenya-Ethiopia border report shows communities shifting from conflict to cooperation as drought and shrinking water push herders to share scarce grazing. Parenting Support at Scale: Research across eight African countries finds parenting programmes that work in trials can still benefit families when delivered through routine services. Digital Health Caution: A critique warns that poor health data quality often comes from collecting more than is used and parallel systems—not just missing apps.

Sino-African Healthcare Modernization: China and African partners launched new medical partnership initiatives in Addis Ababa, including robotic surgery and endoscopic training centers, aiming to upgrade Ethiopia’s public health services with new skills and technology. Maternal Health Digital Care: Ethiopia’s health officials met Kenya to learn how AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound is being scaled for maternal and newborn care, with plans to adopt similar approaches. AU Executive Council Focus on Water & Sanitation: Foreign ministers arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session, where water availability and safe sanitation are set to be central—key issues for public health and food security. Hepatitis Awareness Push: World Hepatitis Day (July 28) marked renewed calls to “break it down” on viral hepatitis B, C, and others, emphasizing education and prevention. Hunger & Food Security Rethink: A TEDx preview from nurse practitioner Shannon Fernando-Rubera argues hunger solutions fail to scale due to “permission” barriers, highlighting enset’s cross-border expansion from Ethiopia to Kenya. Health Data Without More Apps: A critique of digital health rollouts warns that poor data use, incentives, and parallel systems—not just missing mobile tools—are driving quality problems. Ebola Response Funding Speed: Coverage highlights how fast partner support matters in outbreaks, with China’s emergency Ebola support to Africa described as a practical test of solidarity.

AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa: Foreign ministers and senior officials are arriving for the 49th AU Executive Council session (July 28–29), with water security and safe sanitation set as the theme under Agenda 2063. Maternal health digital leap: Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health met Kenya counterparts to benchmark Kenya’s AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound rollout for maternal and newborn care, as Ethiopia prepares its own deployment. HIV funding pressure: UNAIDS warns that global HIV progress is at risk as international funding cuts threaten prevention and community health services. Youth mental health and faith: AMECEA bishops in Nairobi adopted pastoral priorities for young people, including expanded mental health and psycho-social support and guidance for responsible digital engagement. Cancer’s ripple effect in Ethiopia: WHO reports Ethiopia among the top countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving the burden. Tigray aid gaps: A site profiling report says many Tigray displacement sites face insufficient food, nutrition, healthcare, and WASH coverage amid new arrivals. Parenting at scale: Research across eight African countries finds parenting programmes that work in trials can still help when delivered through routine services, supporting adolescent wellbeing.

Free hospital care for millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched its 2026 summer volunteer program, aiming to provide free screening, consultations, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians nationwide, with about 120,000 expected to benefit from the hospital alone. Public health leadership: WHO praised the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of work in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence, and health innovation, highlighting decades of WHO partnership. Maternal cancer fallout: WHO reports Ethiopia among the top six countries with the highest numbers of children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Aid and health gaps in displacement: Tigray IDP sites face critical shortages, with food assistance often insufficient and healthcare and nutrition support lacking in about three-quarters of assessed sites, while WASH gaps persist. Water and sanitation focus at AU: Burundi’s foreign minister arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, linking water access to public health and broader development. Ethiopia’s AI push for health future: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees trained over six months to build local capacity for practical innovations that can support national needs. One Health livestock innovation: East African scientists showcased home-grown biotech livestock solutions aimed at cutting feed costs and reducing disease and antibiotic use, with Ethiopia among participating countries.

Free care push in Ethiopia: St. Peter Specialized Hospital has launched its 2026 summer volunteer program, aiming to provide free health screening, consultations, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians nationwide, with about 120,000 expected to benefit through the hospital alone. Public health leadership: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of work in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence, and health innovation, highlighting long-running WHO partnership. Cancer’s hidden toll on families: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Tigray aid gaps: A site profiling report warns that Tigray IDP sites face critical shortages, with food coverage insufficient in 95% of sites and healthcare/nutrition lacking in about three-quarters. Water and sanitation at AU level: Burundi’s foreign minister arrived in Addis Ababa for the AU Executive Council session focused on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. AI for health systems and jobs: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees from the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, as the country builds skills for future innovation. One Health livestock biotech: East African scientists showcased home-grown biotech livestock solutions to cut feed costs and curb disease and antibiotic use.

Public Health Spotlight: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute for 100 years of disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, laboratory excellence and public health innovation, calling it a continental benchmark for health security. Cancer’s Hidden Cost: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases. Humanitarian Health in Tigray: A site profiling report says Tigray IDP sites face critical gaps: food is often insufficient, while nutrition and healthcare are insufficient in about three-quarters of sites and WASH is insufficient in 62%. Access to Care: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a 2026 summer volunteer program aiming to provide free screening, consultation and treatment for 20 million Ethiopians, with 120,000 expected to benefit at the hospital. Health Workforce & Innovation: Ethiopia is graduating AI startup trainees to build national AI capacity, while East African scientists showcased biotech livestock innovations to cut feed costs and curb antibiotic use. Health Systems & Equity: Eritrea highlighted progress toward universal access, including free or low-cost care and high vaccination coverage, at an AU health summit.

AI Skills for Health Innovation: Ethiopia is graduating the first cohort of AI startup trainees from the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, with Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh urging graduates to turn training into practical solutions that serve national interests. Maternal Cancer’s Hidden Toll: WHO reports Ethiopia is among the top six countries for children orphaned by maternal cancer, with breast and cervical cancers driving most cases—raising urgent needs for prevention and support for affected families. Tigray Humanitarian Gaps: In Tigray displacement sites, food aid is often insufficient and healthcare and nutrition support fall short in most locations, alongside widespread WASH, education, and shelter shortages. Free Care for Millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a summer volunteer program aiming to provide free screening, consultation, and treatment to 20 million Ethiopians, including 120,000 beneficiaries at the hospital. Livestock Biotech Push: East African researchers showcased home-grown biotech for livestock—aimed at cutting feed costs and antibiotic use—after a boot camp that could unlock seed funding for promising ventures. Public Health Leadership: WHO commended the Ethiopian Public Health Institute during its centennial celebrations for disease surveillance, lab excellence, emergency preparedness, and long-term partnership. Agriculture Under Pressure: Sasakawa Africa Association warns that high input costs, insecurity, soil erosion, overgrazing, and climate stress are choking smallholder productivity, despite recent investments and training. University Abuse Allegations: Reports highlight sexual harassment and “sex-for-grades” allegations by Ethiopian university lecturers, renewing calls for safer campuses and accountability.

University Abuse Allegations: A student at Addis Ababa University says a lecturer used handwritten notes to demand sex and threatened to “ruin your life” after she resisted, adding to growing reports of harassment and “sex-for-grades” in higher education. Free Care for Millions: St. Peter Specialized Hospital launched a 2026 summer volunteer drive promising free screening, consultation and treatment for 20 million Ethiopians, with about 120,000 expected to benefit at the hospital alone. Public Health Recognition: WHO praised the Ethiopian Public Health Institute during its centennial celebrations, highlighting its disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and lab work as a regional benchmark. Eritrea Health Access: An Eritrean delegation at an AU health summit said healthcare is free or low-cost, with 80% of people living within 10 km of services and childhood vaccination coverage reaching 98%. Mental Wellness Push: BRICS health ministers backed centres of excellence for mental wellness, with NIMHANS in Bengaluru named the coordinating hub. Pharma Logistics Focus: Coverage on Africa’s pharma supply chains warns that border delays and cold-chain failures can directly affect patient outcomes, spotlighted by the DRC Ebola response. Ethiopia Investment Drive: Ethiopia’s foreign ministry says “business diplomacy” is being intensified to attract more FDI through legal and policy reforms.