Ethiopia has made steady progress in the provision of health services over the past two decades. But nothing has prepared us for threats posed by Covid-19.

In this quote, Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, acknowledges the significant progress the country has made in improving its health services over the past two decades. Ethiopia has worked to expand healthcare access, improve infrastructure, and address public health issues, making notable strides in improving the health of its population. However, Ahmed highlights that despite these advancements, the country was unprepared for the unprecedented challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Ahmed's statement reflects the enormity of the challenges that Covid-19 brought to the global health landscape. While Ethiopia had made progress in building its healthcare system, the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities that no previous public health efforts had accounted for. The scale and unpredictability of the Covid-19 crisis overwhelmed many healthcare systems around the world, including Ethiopia’s, which faced difficulties in responding to the rapidly evolving situation.

The quote also touches on the broader theme of global health disparities. While Ethiopia’s progress is commendable, the pandemic revealed that even countries with improving health services can be vulnerable to unexpected global health threats. Ahmed's comment emphasizes that health systems, regardless of how strong they appear, must always be prepared for unforeseen challenges like pandemics.

In essence, Abiy Ahmed’s quote underscores the idea that despite progress in healthcare, no country is fully immune to the disruptions caused by global health crises like Covid-19. It serves as a reminder that health systems must be flexible and resilient to respond to emerging threats, regardless of previous improvements.