Dr. Saro Abdella

Message

Deputy Director General for Health Laboratory Services

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

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

On this historic occasion of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s Centennial Celebration and Fifth Scientific Congress, I extend my warmest congratulations to the entire EPHI family, our partners, and the people of Ethiopia.

A Century of Laboratory Excellence

Since the first laboratory was established in Dr. Thomas Lambie’s hospital in 1924, laboratory services have been at the heart of EPHI’s mission. For a century, our laboratories have been the cornerstone of disease diagnosis, surveillance, research, and outbreak response in Ethiopia. From the early days of microscopy to the cutting-edge genomics and molecular diagnostics of today, EPHI’s laboratory services have consistently embraced innovation and excellence.

Our Laboratory Legacy

Over the past century, EPHI’s laboratories have:

• Served as the mother of all health laboratories in Ethiopia, building capacity and ensuring quality across the nation
• Established 14 Regional Reference Laboratories, with two evolving into Regional Public Health Institutes
• Introduced automated clinical chemistry and hematology analyzers in the 1980s, revolutionizing diagnostic services
• Pioneered ELISA and PCR technologies for HIV diagnosis and monitoring
• Established the National Polio Reference Laboratory with JICA support
• Established the National Influenza Reference Laboratory in response to pandemic threats
• Implemented External Quality Assessment programs across the national laboratory system

Our Commitment to Quality

Quality is non-negotiable in laboratory services. EPHI has consistently worked to ensure that our laboratories meet international standards. We have implemented Laboratory Quality Management Systems, participated in External Quality Assessment schemes, and trained thousands of laboratory professionals across the country.

The Fifth Scientific Congress

To the participants of the Fifth Scientific Congress, I welcome you. The exchange of scientific knowledge, the sharing of best practices, and the fostering of new collaborations are essential to advancing laboratory science in Ethiopia. I encourage you to engage fully in the sessions, to learn from your colleagues, and to contribute to the collective knowledge that will guide our future.

My Congratulatory Message

To the laboratory professionals of EPHI, past and present—you are the backbone of our institution. Your dedication, expertise, and hard work have built the laboratory system that serves our nation. Thank you.

To our partners—WHO, US CDC, Africa CDC, JICA, and others—thank you for your support and collaboration.

To the Ethiopian people—we are proud to serve you through our laboratory services. Your health is our mission.

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate our centennial, we look forward to the next century. Our vision includes:

• The construction of a National Reference Laboratory Complex with state-of-the-art facilities
• The establishment of a bio-bank for characterized biological specimens
• The continued decentralization of laboratory services to improve access for all Ethiopians

Congratulations, EPHI! Happy 100th Anniversary to our Laboratory Services!

Dr. Saro Abdella

Deputy Director General for Health Laboratory Services

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

July 2026

All sessions