Abstract:
The demand for equitable access and quality healthcare services is increasing in Ethiopia
because of a rapidly growing population, epidemiological transition of diseases, rapid
urbanisation, and broader social and economic changes occurring in the country. The COVID 19 pandemic, civil conflict and climate shocks including drought have severely impacted the
wellbeing of Ethiopia’s people. Ethiopia has had the second largest number of COVID-19 cases
and fatalities in Sub-Saharan Africa with almost half a million cases and 8,000 deaths since
March 2020.
1 The pandemic contributed to a three percent decrease of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) and foreign direct investment declined by 20 percent. The shocks have exposed the
continuous weaknesses of the health system to adjust itself in responding to the shock while
continuing the delivery of essential health services.
