A high-level delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO-Ethiopia) has conducted a working visit to the Armauer Hansen Research Institute’s Health Research Laboratories and Facilities, which were inaugurated by H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed on April 4, 2026. During the visit, WHO representatives and AHRI leadership engaged in extensive discussions on deepening collaboration and identifying future priority areas.
AHRI’s Director General, Professor Afework Kassu, expressed appreciation for WHO’s sustained support and underscored the institute’s longstanding partnership with the organization infectious and non-communicable diseases. He reaffirmed AHRI’s commitment to advancing diagnostics, medicine, and vaccine research in close cooperation with WHO for the benefit of the Ethiopian public. Professor Afework further called for enhanced collaboration in utilizing AHRI’s laboratories and facilities, linking them with WHO’s collaborating centers, and facilitating global-level accreditation for the new research infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of strengthening existing partnerships while exploring new areas of cooperation to maximize the impact of joint efforts.
Professor Francis C. Kasolo, WR Ethiopia outlined WHO’s strategic focus in Ethiopia, stressing the organization’s role in fostering evidence-based research, policy guidance, and technical cooperation. He noted that WHO-Ethiopia is actively engaged in combating vaccine-preventable diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and mental health challenges.
Deputy Director General of AHRI Dr. Alemseged Abdissa briefed the delegation on AHRI’s ongoing research work at AHRI. Meanwhile, Deputy Director General Mr. Messay Woldemariam underscored the importance of WHO’s technical assistance in Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing strategy (NSPA-Pharma), and called for continued support in quality assurance, capacity building, and regulatory strengthening.
The visit and the discussion made were described as a major boost to the long-standing cooperation between WHO and AHRI, paving the way for deeper collaboration in advancing Ethiopia’s health research and innovation agenda.
