Dr. Getachew Tollera

Deputy Director General for Public Health Research and Knowledge Translation

Chairperson, EPHI Centennial Event & Fifth Scientific Congress Organizing Committee

On the Occasion of EPHI’s Centennial Celebration and Fifth Scientific Congress

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s Centennial Celebration and Fifth Scientific Congress. On behalf of the Committee, I extend a warm welcome to all participants and a heartfelt congratulations to the entire EPHI family on this historic milestone.

A Century of Service

One hundred years is not just a number—it is a testament to endurance, adaptability, and unwavering commitment. EPHI has been a constant presence through Ethiopia’s modern history, serving the health needs of our people through times of war, political change, and public health crises. Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, has never been colonized, and EPHI stands as a proud symbol of our nation’s self-reliance and dedication to public health.

The Significance of Our Centennial Theme

The centennial theme—”A Century of Service, A Future of Innovation” —captures the essence of who we are and who we aspire to be. We honor our past, celebrate our present, and prepare for a future of even greater impact. The Fifth Scientific Congress, held under the theme “Evidence-Based Public Health for Universal Health Coverage,” reflects our commitment to generating and using evidence to achieve health for all.

Our Journey Through the Decades

From the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Lambie’s hospital in 1924, through the Italian occupation and the establishment of the Imperial Ethiopian Medical Research Institute, to the partnership with the Pasteur Institute of Paris, and the evolution through CLRI, NRIH, EHNRI, and finally EPHI—this journey has been marked by transformation and growth.

Each era brought new challenges and new opportunities. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s forced us to build reference laboratory capacity. The launch of free antiretroviral therapy in 2005 required us to strengthen the national laboratory system. The Business Process Reengineering reforms positioned us as a comprehensive public health authority. And in 2023, our restructuring under Regulation 529/2023 consolidated our mandates and strengthened our capacity to serve the Ethiopian people.

Highlights of Our Achievements

As the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, I have had the privilege of witnessing the breadth and depth of EPHI’s contributions:

• Research Excellence: From 175 to 14,475 peer-reviewed articles in recent years
• Laboratory Leadership: 13 Regional Reference Laboratories established across the country
• Emergency Response: Rapid and effective coordination of responses to COVID-19, cholera, measles, and Ebola threats
• Vaccine Production: Over seven decades of anti-rabies vaccine production
• Data Innovation: The National Data Management Center transforming health data use
• Workforce Development: 40,000 health professionals trained annually

The Role of Research Laboratories in Advancing Public Health

As Deputy Director General for Public Health Research and Knowledge Translation, I am particularly proud of the pivotal role our research laboratories have played in shaping Ethiopia’s public health landscape. These laboratories are not merely facilities for testing and diagnosis—they are engines of discovery, innovation, and evidence generation that have transformed our understanding of diseases and guided national health policy.

Our research laboratories have been instrumental in:

Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Detection: The integration of research laboratories with our Public Health Emergency Management system has enabled rapid detection and characterization of disease outbreaks. From cholera and measles to COVID-19, our laboratories have provided the critical evidence needed for informed response. The establishment of the National Influenza Reference Laboratory, the Polio Reference Laboratory, and the Enhanced Genomics Core Facility has positioned Ethiopia as a leader in infectious disease surveillance in Africa.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance: Our research laboratories have established systematic AMR surveillance across 26 health facilities nationwide, with plans for further expansion. This work is vital for protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, ensuring that treatments remain effective for future generations.

Molecular Diagnostics and Genomics: The adoption of cutting-edge molecular technologies—from PCR to next-generation sequencing—has revolutionized our diagnostic capabilities. Our researchers have sequenced thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, contributing to global efforts to track variants and inform vaccine development. The Enhanced Genomics Core Facility with NovaSeq X Plus technology is a testament to our commitment to scientific excellence.

Nutrition and Food Safety Research: Research laboratories dedicated to food science and nutrition have generated essential data on the nutritional composition of Ethiopian foods, micronutrient deficiencies, and food safety. The Ethiopian Food Composition Table (EFCT) 2025, with data on 726 food items, is a vital resource for nutrition policy and programming.

Traditional Medicine Research: Our research laboratories have documented over 600 medicinal plant species, providing scientific validation for traditional remedies and contributing to the preservation of Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage.

Clinical and Diagnostic Research: Research laboratories have supported clinical trials, evaluated diagnostic technologies, and generated evidence that has shaped national treatment guidelines for HIV, TB, malaria, and other diseases.

Knowledge Translation and Policy Impact

Research is only as valuable as its application. My role in knowledge translation ensures that the evidence generated in our research laboratories is communicated effectively to policymakers, program managers, and practitioners. We have produced policy briefs, technical reports, and scientific publications that have informed national health strategies and contributed to global health knowledge. The translation of research findings into policy and practice is a cornerstone of our mission, ensuring that scientific evidence directly benefits the health of the Ethiopian people.

The Fifth Scientific Congress

This Congress brings together Ethiopia’s brightest minds in public health, epidemiology, laboratory science, nutrition, and health systems research. It is a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of public health in Ethiopia and beyond. I encourage all participants to engage fully in the sessions, to learn from one another, and to contribute to the collective knowledge that will guide our future.

My Congratulatory Message

To the leadership of EPHI, past and present—thank you for your vision and guidance.

To the staff of EPHI—you are the heart and soul of this institution. Your dedication makes our achievements possible.

To our partners—thank you for your trust and collaboration. We could not have reached this milestone without you.

To the Ethiopian people—we are honored to serve you. Your health and well-being are our mission.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate our centennial, we look forward to the next hundred years. The establishment of the Enhanced Genomics Core Facility, the National Reference Laboratory Complex, the bio-bank, and the continued expansion of the NDMC are just a few of the initiatives that will define our future. We remain committed to evidence-based public health, to innovation, and to the health of all Ethiopians.

Congratulations, EPHI! Happy 100th Anniversary!

Dr. Getachew Tollera

Deputy Director General for Public Health Research and Knowledge Translation

Chairperson, Centennial Event & Fifth Scientific Congress Organizing Committee

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

July 2026