Key Achievements and Future Plans in Ethiopia’s Food, Nutrition, and Health Insurance Initiatives
Ethiopia has made significant progress in addressing food security, nutrition, and health insurance through the Seqota Declaration. Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh highlighted these achievements during a performance review forum focused on the country’s nutrition programs, the Seqota Declaration, and community-based health insurance services.
The deputy PM emphasized that the Food and Nutrition Programs aligned with the Seqota Declaration reflect the government’s strong commitment to improving public welfare. He described these initiatives as examples of successful local solutions that can be replicated in other areas. According to him, the leadership’s focus on community participation has been instrumental in driving these efforts forward.
Temesgen noted that expanding community-based initiatives is crucial for tackling issues like stunting and other forms of malnutrition. He stressed that achieving the goals set out in the Food and Nutrition Strategy and the Seqota Declaration requires creating community mobilizations and involving people in finding solutions. The implementation of the expansion phase of the Seqota Declaration is being carried out with a strong emphasis on fostering a sense of ownership among local populations.
The role of local innovations in Woredas and Kebeles in identifying and addressing nutrition challenges has been vital to the success of these programs. These grassroots efforts have contributed significantly to the progress made so far.
The deputy PM also pointed out that the implementation of the Seqota Declaration has reached a critical stage. He mentioned that the expansion phase will be completed next year and called for a smooth transition to the next five-year expansion phase based on the 15-year roadmap. This transition requires careful planning and coordination to ensure continued momentum.
In addition to focusing on nutrition, the government is also working on promoting household-level changes and effective innovations in the health sector. A key initiative in this area is the community-based health insurance program, which aims to achieve universal health coverage. This program ensures that quality health services are accessible to all citizens in an equitable manner.
The community-based health insurance program was introduced in the 2017 fiscal year, providing coverage to citizens and helping reduce medical expenses. Temesgen highlighted the importance of this program in improving living and health conditions across the country.
To accelerate the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Strategy and the Seqota Declaration, the deputy PM called for further consolidation of institutional and community contributions. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders to ensure long-term success.
The Seqota Declaration, launched in 2015, represents a high-level, 15-year commitment by the Ethiopian government to end stunting in children under two years old by 2030. This ambitious goal is supported by a multi-sectoral approach involving nine different ministries, including those responsible for health, agriculture, education, water, irrigation, energy, women, children, youth, transport, finance, labor, skills, culture, and tourism.
Through coordinated efforts across these sectors, Ethiopia is making steady progress toward its vision of a healthier and more food-secure future. The success of the Seqota Declaration and related programs serves as a model for other nations facing similar challenges. With continued investment and community engagement, the country is well on its way to achieving its long-term goals.
