Jimma University in Ethiopia is advancing national efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the Local Production of Antibiotic Disc (LoPAD) project, an innovative initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the LEAD Innovation Challenge Program. On 17 February 2026, a joint delegation from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, and WHO visited Jimma University to review progress and discuss scaling the innovation. High-level discussions brought together Jimma University leadership and senior representatives from government and international organizations to explore transitioning the innovation from research to scalable manufacturing, addressing regulatory alignment, quality assurance, and approval pathways. Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Systems and Policy Advisor at WHO Ethiopia, praised Jimma University for its leadership, noting that the LoPAD project represents a milestone in strengthening diagnostic capacity and Ethiopia’s response to AMR. Collaboration among academia, government, and international partners is central to translating such innovations into scalable solutions that expand laboratory access, protect public health, and strengthen Ethiopia’s health system.

Source: Ethiopian News March 05, 2026 22:33 UTC