Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Mekdes Daba, on Friday, urged African countries to build their capacity for disease prevention and control by investing in modern laboratory infrastructure and skilled medical personnel.

Ms Daba made the call at the opening of the first Russian-African Sanitation and Emergency Rapid Response Team training seminar in Addis Ababa.

The three-day workshop, hosted by Ethiopia, aimed to strengthen the rapid response capacity and improve the quality of research-based services.

The workshop brought together experts from 15 African countries.

As part of a collaborative effort to modernise Ethiopia’s health system, Russia handed over to the ministry a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory capable of diagnosing more than 300 diseases.

Ms Daba stressed the commitment of both countries to deepen their partnership in various health-related areas while receiving the laboratory from Anna Popova, Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor).

According to Ms Daba, the minister said the mobile laboratory will be important in providing vital health services in Ethiopia and neighbouring countries.

“This facility will not only serve Ethiopia but also neighbouring countries, enhancing regional health cooperation and epidemic readiness,” she stressed.

Ms Daba also noted that Ethiopia currently has 33 laboratories, with plans to increase this number to 40, thereby strengthening the country’s national and regional surveillance and response capabilities.

“Russian support is distinct from traditional aid; it transcends mere assistance and focuses on fostering lasting independence and resilience,” she underscored.

(Brics/NAN)