On June 23, 2025, the FCDO Delegates and the Wish2 Deputy Director for Technical Affairs of IPPF, African Regional Office met with His Excellency Dr. Dereje Duguma, the Deputy Minister of Health. The delegation included Dr. Sarah Goldsmith, the FCDO WISH2 Program Health Advisor; Sarah Harvey-Kelly, the FCDO Ethiopia Office WISH2 Focal Point; Lilian Nikoji, the WISH2 Deputy Director for Technical Affairs; and representatives from various partner organizations, including FGAE (Vice President Mr. Gebeyehu Mekonnen, Executive Director Mr. Abadi Kalayou, WISH 2 Country Director Mr. Alemayehu Habtamu), IPAS, JHU, and UNFPA.
During the consultative meeting, the Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) team led the discussions. They emphasized that collaboration through the consortium would enhance resource utilization and effectiveness. The Ministry expressed gratitude to FGAE for its leadership in coordinating consortium activities and reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services in the country.
On the same day, the team visited the FGAE Dr. Widad Kidanemariam MCH Clinic, where they engaged in comprehensive discussions with consortium members. Each member presented updates on their activities and outlined their expectations from the program.
The FCDO delegates’ visit will continue to the Northern Area Office, where they will explore the FGAE WISH2 sites in Mekele and the surrounding areas.