JINKA, ETHIOPIA -The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with the South Ethiopia Public Health Institute to strengthen health research, expand laboratory capacity, and enhance disease surveillance in the region.
As part of the initiative, an official delegation from AHRI conducted a working visit to Jinka, delivering advanced diagnostic equipment and laboratory supplies aimed at decentralizing disease detection and emergency outbreak responses.
The event was attended by senior leaders and researchers from AHRI, alongside high-level officials and health professionals from the South Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau.
During the handover, Dr. Alemseged Abdissa, Deputy Director General of AHRI, highlighted that the institute provided critical high-tech equipment including MIC Quantitative PCR Machine and Liferiver’s Automated RNA/DNA extraction (Ex3600) machine alongside essential laboratory consumables and diagnostic kits to support the Jinka facility.
“This support will play a vital role in enabling the local team to identify, diagnose, and investigate sudden disease outbreaks closer to the affected communities,” said Dr. Alemseged. “It also establishes a strong foundation for joint health research initiatives between both institutes.”
Addressing the handover event, Mr. Endashaw Shibru, Head of the South Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau, characterized the partnership as a major milestone for public health protection in the region.
Prior to this intervention, diagnostic samples frequently had to be transported to Addis Ababa for complex analyses, causing critical delays and incurring significant logistical costs.
“Having these advanced diagnostic capabilities on-site will eliminate unnecessary delays and expenses while allowing for rapid response during health emergencies,” Mr. Endashaw stated.
He added that the collaboration will integrate efforts with four regional universities to monitor and control infectious diseases across border areas, ultimately aiming to reduce preventable mortality rates.
The agreement extends beyond immediate equipment delivery. The multi-faceted partnership establishes a framework for continuous capacity building, including targeted training programs for regional health personnel, joint funding proposals, and long-term scientific research collaborations to address regional health priorities.