By Lalu Etalla

Addis Ababa — Ethiopia is hosting the 7th World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Conference in Addis Ababa, marking the first time this high-level event is being held on the African continent.

Opening the landmark event, Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba highlighted that investing and supporting Emergency Medical Teams prior to crises is fundamental to establishing resilient and sustainable health systems capable of withstanding emergencies.

Jointly organized by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), the Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO), the conference brings together EMT practitioners, medical scientists, and international delegates representing over 140 countries—underscoring Ethiopia's growing capacity as an international diplomatic and conference hub.

The opening session Ethiopia has officially received its international accreditation certificate from the WHO. Ethiopia became the first nation in the WHO African Region to establish a fully recognized, Type-1 Emergency Medical Team after passing rigorous WHO verification processes.

This national team is mandated to deliver rapid, standardized medical responses during natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and public health emergencies both domestically and across neighboring countries in the region.

Speaking at the conference, WHO Regional Director for Africa Professor Mohamed Yacoub Dhabani affirmed that comprehensive strategies are actively being implemented to strengthen EMT capabilities across the continent.

He reiterated WHO’s commitment to providing continuous technical and operational support to ensure regional emergency medical teams achieve sustainable operational readiness and deliver high-quality emergency care in alignment with global standards.