The U.S. Government through its United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated the successful completion of its six-year Health Financing Improvement Program (HFIP), aimed to expand health insurance coverage for Ethiopians.
The program made significant progress in supporting reforms to achieve universal health coverage, and improve access to quality primary healthcare by reducing financial barriers. Over its six-year duration, the program supported the Ethiopian government’s efforts to expand health insurance to over 50 million Ethiopians. The program also helped the government introduce a new directive at the health facilities, which allowed them to retain and use the revenue from their services to expand community health insurance.
At the closing event, USAID Deputy Mission Director Eleanor TanPiengco and State Minister of Health Dr. Ayele Teshome visited the Gurara Health Center in Addis Ababa, a facility supported by the program. In her remarks, Deputy Mission Director TanPiengco said, “The U.S. Government through USAID continues efforts to improve the health of Ethiopians and build a healthcare system where everyone receives the services they need.“
The conclusion of this USAID project marks a key step in Ethiopia’s path toward universal health coverage. The reforms introduced through the program will continue to improve quality of healthcare services and access for all Ethiopians, creating a more equitable and efficient healthcare system.