On December 31, 2024, a pivotal high-level meeting was convened at the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Mekdes Daba, the Minister of Health, including high-level officials serving as Ministerial Advisors.
Participants from Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) are:-President of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), Vice President, Executive Board Member, FGAE, Executive Director, IPPF Wish 2 Country Director, FGAE, Plan & Program Division Manager and Governance & Partnership Advisor.Purpose of the Meeting ,The primary objective of this meeting was to address the pressing challenges arising from the decline in funding for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. Participants highlighted the urgent need for sustainable financial resources to support FGAE’s SRHR initiatives. The decrease in funding poses a significant threat to the progress made in improving health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. Key points of discussion included:
1. Linkage with Potential Donors: Strategies to engage potential donors to reach hard-to-reach populations.
2. Collaboration with Donors and Partners: Strengthening partnerships to enhance support for SRH initiatives.
3. Support from the Ministry of Health (MoH): Highlighting the MoH’s role in facilitating donations of medical equipment, and supplies.
4. Commodity Security: Ensuring a consistent supply of essential commodities for SRH services.
5. Capacity Building Training: Providing training through FGAE’s eight accredited Continuous Professional Development Centers (CPDCs) to improve service delivery and program sustainability.
6. Addressing Human Resource Challenges: Assigning technical assistance (TA) health professionals to fill gaps in human resources.
The meeting at the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia was a crucial step toward revitalizing the commitment of the Ministry to CPD and other SRH related activities of FGAE. The collaborative efforts and discussions held during this meeting are expected to lay the groundwork for the next actionable plans with FGAE.
