Ethiopia's Ministry of Health has reported significant progress in healthcare access, including that 3 million mothers received childbirth services during the 2017 fiscal year. The findings were presented at a joint consultation forum for the Ministry and regional health bureau leaders currently underway in Harar.

Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba noted that despite facing a challenging year, the health sector successfully delivered essential services to the public. A report presented at the forum detailed that over 233 million citizens received care at health facilities, with 3 million of those being mothers who received childbirth services.

The report also highlighted that more than 17.6 million citizens utilized family planning services. Furthermore, the percentage of pregnant women receiving four or more prenatal check-ups reached 84%, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The forum is set to evaluate these achievements and chart a course for future initiatives.