Abstract:
Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous country with a population of more than 115
million in 2021. The country has made important development gains over the past two decades
and has registered commendable achievements on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
mainly in reducing poverty head count, achieving universal primary education, narrowing gender
disparities in primary education, reducing child and neonatal mortality, and combating HIV, TB,
and malaria. The demand for equitable access and quality healthcare services is increasing
because of a rapidly growing population, epidemiological transition of diseases, rapid
urbanisation, and broader social and economic changes occurring in the country and the
geopolitical context in the eastern Africa region.
