Japan has donated 13 mobile clinic vehicles to Ethiopia through a $3.5 million grant under its "Economic and Social Development Programme," marking a significant step in enhancing healthcare accessibility across remote regions.

The official handover ceremony, held today in Addis Ababa, was attended by Japan's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori, and Ethiopia's Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba.

The new mobile clinics will be distributed to eight regional health bureaus Amhara, Afar, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Southwest Ethiopia, and Tigray with the goal of strengthening emergency and outreach health services. The initiative is expected to provide essential healthcare to hundreds of thousands of people in hard-to-reach areas.

Ambassador Shibata highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two nations, dating back to 1930, and reaffirmed Japan's dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s peace and economic growth.

The mobile clinic project is part of Japan's broader commitment to the Ethiopian health sector. Recent support includes a May 2025 initiative to establish a modern infectious disease ward at St. Peter's Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa and ongoing partnerships with UN agencies to supply medical equipment and staff training in rural areas.