According Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the need for better preparation and resources within the health department. In order to fulfill this the government has announced the increase of the health department’s budget by 46 percent.
In a virtual statement he gave to an FT African conference, the Prime Minister said that “In many African countries, healthcare is a neglected sector”. He cited the fact that Ethiopia spends twice its annual health budget on foreign debt services.
The need for such an increase is evident despite sub-Saharan Africa faring off well during the pandemic. The region accounts for only 3.4 percent of cases and 2.5 percent of deaths.
The Prime Minister also said that such measures are good supplements to Ethiopia’s focus on climate-friendly development and economic activity and will help the nation advance on a more holistic path of growth.