By Mekonnen Teshome
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) announced that it is going to celebrate its 100th founding anniversary next December 2024 with a theme “A Century of Efforts for Better Public Health.”
The institute made this public at the launch program of its centennial diamond jubilee celebrations Thursday.
The launch of the anniversary program was held at the meeting hall of the institution in the presence of the management and employees of the institution as well as representatives of partner organizations.
Moreover, a new website meant to manage virtual submission of abstracts of research articles for the 5th EPHI Scientific Congress to be held from December 2-6, 2024 in connection with the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the institute was also launched at the occasion. The website will facilitate virtual submission, evaluation and acceptance of abstracts to be presented by researchers.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI, speaking at the launch of the program said that the Diamond Jubilee celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s 100 years of public health services and foresee the institution’s future endeavors and visions.
According to the Director General, the institute has been carrying out numerous public health related researches, provided laboratory services, has done prevention and control of public health risks and has taken other related national missions for the past one hundred years.
“When we look back at the history of our institute on this joyful occasion, we are proud of the wonderful achievements of countless individuals who have contributed a lot and sacrificed themselves for the betterment of our country’s health system,” he said.
According to him, at present, the institution is expanding its scope of work and is carrying out various public health related works at the national level at a larger scale, with quality assurance and in a coordinated manner and it is working to become the leading public health institution in the African continent.
Dr. Mesay said that for the past 10 decades, the institute has been making its expected contribution as a pillar and center of excellence for the country’s public health endeavors.
“Currently, the institute is carrying out monitoring public health risks at the national level; providing quality laboratory services, conducting studies and researches in the field of public health and nutrition, analyzing and compiling health-related data, and coordinating and leading the comprehensive one health and international health security program at the national level, as well as conducting epidemiology trainings and programs related to public health. ” The Director General added.
Deputy Director General of the institute, Dr. Getachew Tollera, also briefed participants and guests on the institute’s centennial anniversary plans and programs as well as the history of the institute.
Dr. Getachew underscores that the successes registered in improving public health situation in Ethiopia emanated from the institution’s continuous contribution to research and technology transfer since 1924.
“I express my deepest gratitude to all those who have supported us in achieving our mission. Your cooperation has been critical to our success, and we look forward to exploring new avenues together as we continue to advance public health research and technology transfer,” he explained to the participants.
The General Director of Armer Hansen Research Institute and former researcher and Alumni of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Prof. Afewerk Kassu, who attended the opening program of the celebration also on his part pointed out that the Ethiopian Public Health Institute has had a very long history of success in the history of the country and it is difficult to find an institution that has served for a long time in Ethiopia or other African countries at this level.
He said that the centennial diamond jubilee celebration will help the institute to look into the experiences of the past and determine the opportunities and threats in the future also to make a successful journey in the year to come.
Prof. Afework expressed his gratitude for EPHI and its leaders for the great contributions made in the area of public health for the past 100 years and added that his institution has been collaborating with the institute and confirmed that the collaboration will be strengthened in the future.