Deputy PM expresses gov’t’s strong commitment to substitute import of medical supplies 

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2024 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said the local medical products manufacturing and innovation exhibition, held in Addis Ababa over the last six days, has promoted Ethiopia’s investment opportunities and the county’s potential in the sector.

Local Medical Products Manufacturing and Innovation Exhibition, opened by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the 22nd of June, was officially closed today in the presence of high ranking government officials and stakeholders in the sector.

On the occasion, Deputy PM Temesgen said the expo has demonstrated the commitment of the government to enhancing local manufacturing of medical products and ensure import substitution in the sector.

The expansion of local medical supplies products is vital to Ethiopia not only to free from the dependency of import products but also instrumental to enhancing the health of its citizens, he underlined.

The stride being demonstrated by the government to improving the national health system emanates from the country’s broad goals to create a healthy nation important to ensuring prosperity, Temesgen underscored.

According to him, Ethiopia was importing 92 percent of its medical supplies with significant foreign exchange up until last year.

However, Temesgen said the government has brought positive achievements following its measures with a view to increasing the share of local medical supply products which has now reached 36 percent. He also revealed that Ethiopia has been exporting medical products to 35 countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Ethiopia will soon become self-sufficient in medical supplies if it continues with the current pace to encourage local manufacturing.

He further stressed the need to give a great deal of attention to product quality and global acceptance noting the presence of conducive policies to encourage the sector and attract investment.

The exhibition, held under the theme “Our Health by Our Products,” with the objective to boost the local medical supplies manufacturing, has been visited by over 100, 000 citizens during the past six days.

The exhibition has showcased Ethiopia’s healthcare investment opportunities as well as domestically produced medical products and services.

According to ENA, some 107 manufacturers from the sector have participated in the exhibition, which also featured networking opportunities for investors, panel discussions, and other programs.