Written by Atlas, a student journalist bringing expert perspectives on African health and pandemic

Ethiopia’s healthcare system continues to struggle, especially in rural areas where many people lack access to even the most basic medical care. Dr. Jianhua Wang, a healthcare leader who has been working in Ethiopia since 2006, has seen the country’s progress and challenges firsthand. Although life expectancy has increased from 49 years to around 67-68 years since his arrival, the improvements haven’t reached all Ethiopians equally, particularly those living outside the major cities.

One of the biggest problems Ethiopia faces is the unequal distribution of healthcare resources. Most doctors and hospitals are located in larger cities like Addis Ababa, while rural areas are left with far fewer options. Though the government has made efforts to train more medical professionals, these doctors often don’t have the experience or support needed to manage complicated cases, especially in underserved regions. This leaves rural communities vulnerable, with limited access to the healthcare they desperately need.

Maternal health, in particular, highlights the severity of the problem. When Dr. Wang first came to Ethiopia, the maternal mortality rate was alarmingly high. Nearly 10% of pregnant women faced life-threatening complications. While recent improvements have reduced that figure to around 1 in 1,000, the situation remains dangerous in rural areas where many women still don’t have access to skilled medical care during childbirth.

Dr. Wang’s hospital, regarded as the best in Ethiopia, provides a rare level of care with modern equipment and an international team of doctors. But as Dr. Wang points out, one hospital can’t fix an entire country’s healthcare issues. Ethiopia needs more hospitals and clinics in rural areas, along with more trained healthcare workers to provide the necessary services. Without significant changes, millions of Ethiopians will continue to face unnecessary suffering and loss.

To help address these issues, Dr. Wang’s hospital runs community outreach programs, offering free medical check-ups to over 300 people each year. While this makes a difference for those involved, it’s only a small piece of what is needed. The healthcare crisis in Ethiopia is far larger, and without more support, it’s hard to imagine substantial progress being made.

The COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse, exposing just how fragile Ethiopia’s healthcare system really is. Dr. Wang’s hospital was able to adapt quickly, becoming the first in the country to set up a negative-pressure room to treat COVID-19 patients. Over the course of the pandemic, the hospital treated more than 1,200 patients, including several high-ranking officials, and managed to maintain an impressively low death rate of just 13. However, most other hospitals in the country weren’t as prepared, and many struggled to manage the influx of patients with limited resources.

Looking ahead, Dr. Wang believes there are two main priorities for improving Ethiopia’s healthcare system. First, the country needs to build more healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. This includes constructing more hospitals, clinics, and training more doctors and nurses who can serve these communities. Second, there’s a real opportunity to integrate traditional African medicine with modern medical practices. Dr. Wang sees this as a way to create a more comprehensive healthcare system that could benefit all Ethiopians, especially those in remote areas.

Dr. Wang’s experiences in Ethiopia reveal just how much work still needs to be done. His hospital may be a leader in the country, but the healthcare system overall remains in critical condition. Ethiopia cannot tackle these challenges alone—it needs help.

This is where you can make a difference. By supporting the Footprint PHC Foundation, you can contribute to improving healthcare access in Ethiopia. Your donations can help provide the resources needed to build more hospitals, train more doctors, and bring lifesaving care to those who need it most. Every contribution matters. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone in Ethiopia has access to the healthcare they deserve.