Gudina Tumsa Foundation Hosts Consultative Workshop to Strengthen Health and Nutrition Policy in Oromia
By: Yitbarek Tekalign
A consultative workshop was held recently at the Elilly International Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss findings from a comprehensive study on health and nutrition policies their implementation in the Oromia region. This event, part of the Healthcare and Livelihood Improvement Advocacy Project in Oromia (HaLIAPO), was initiated by the Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders; all focused on addressing Oromia’s pressing healthcare and nutrition challenges.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Nigatu Ayele, Head of Research and Studies at the Oromia President’s Office, emphasized the urgent need for evidence-based policymaking to address the health sector’s ongoing challenges in Oromia. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders but highlighted continuing issues, particularly in maternal and child health, immunization coverage, and nutrition, which have hindered the region from reaching key global and national health targets. He noted that while some progress has been made, maternal mortality, child health, and nutrition still require more than superficial solutions.
The study’s findings, presented by our policy analyst Mr. Wakgari Kabata, showcased Oromia’s progress in the health sector but also revealed several gaps. Among the most pressing issues were limited public participation in policymaking, inadequate intersectoral coordination, and the absence of a comprehensive regional health policy tailored to local needs. Mr Wakgari stressed the importance of creating robust, evidence-based health and nutrition policies that reflect Oromia’s unique challenges, rather than merely implementing federal policies without proper local adaptation.
The workshop also focused on maternal and child health, with the maternal mortality rate in Oromia remaining alarmingly high. Little progress has been made toward the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births, a situation worsened by limited access to quality reproductive health services, especially in remote areas. Mr Wakgari called for concerted efforts to improve antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postnatal services to meet these critical health needs. Similarly, child health is a significant concern, with immunization rates still falling short due to supply chain disruptions and vaccine hesitancy. Oromia also faces a large number of zero-dose children those who have never received any vaccines due to poor coordination between sectors and the lack of local data to inform policy decisions.
Nutrition was another major issue discussed at the workshop. Despite national initiatives like the Seqota Declaration aimed at eliminating child stunting by 2030, Oromia continues to struggle with high rates of stunting and wasting in children. Contributing factors include food insecurity, poor food safety standards, and the excessive use of agrochemicals, all of which threaten long-term health outcomes.
One of the workshop’s key objectives was to promote a multi-stakeholder approach to health policy formulation. Representatives from various sectors stressed the importance of stronger intersectoral collaboration. Mr. Nigatu Ayele pointed out that health is not the sole responsibility of the health sector alone, but rather requires the combined efforts of civil society, development partners, and the private sector to address these pressing challenges.
During the group discussions, participants debated strategies to improve health and nutrition policies. They called for better coordination between government agencies, improved financing of the health system, and the establishment of an independent Regional Policy Research Institute to ensure policies are grounded in local evidence, addressing Oromia’s specific needs rather than relying solely on federal directives.
The workshop concluded with a strong call to action, focusing on the development of comprehensive, evidence-based regional policies tailored to Oromia’s unique challenges. Strengthening intersectoral coordination, enhancing health workforce capacity, and improving supply chain management were highlighted as key priorities. Participants emphasized the need for concerted efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas, and to ensure consistent availability of medical products, including vaccines, across the region.
As the workshop ended, participants left with a renewed commitment to tackling Oromia’s health challenges through informed and coordinated action. The findings from the research, combined with the insights shared during the workshop, will serve as a foundation for future policy advocacy efforts. With the support of international donors like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and local stakeholders, the Oromia region is poised to take concrete steps toward improving health outcomes for its population. In his closing remarks, Mr. Iyobed Yonas, Programs Director of the Gudina Tumsa Foundation, reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the most vulnerable groups are not left behind, stressing that that the strategic discussions held today will be pivotal in shaping the long-term trajectory of health and nutrition policies in Oromia.
