Training for Improved Reproductive Health Services in Oromia
From June 21 to July 2, 2026, a vital initiative aimed at improving reproductive health services took place in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG), in collaboration with the Oromia Regional Health Bureau, conducted a Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) training at the Adama Hospital CPD Center. This program brought together 25 mid-level health professionals, including 6 female and 19 male participants from the West Shoa and West Hararghe Zones.
The training aimed to equip these health professionals with essential skills to deliver safe and high-quality reproductive health services in areas that have faced significant interruptions due to workforce turnover. As many facilities struggle to provide adequate care, local communities often find themselves traveling long distances to access necessary medical services, exacerbating health risks for women and families.
This initiative is pivotal in supporting Ethiopia’s national strategy to reduce maternal mortality rates and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which advocate for expanded access to family planning and comprehensive reproductive health services.
Notably, since the revision of Ethiopia’s abortion law in 2005, there has been a dramatic reduction in abortion-related maternal deaths—from 32% before the law to just 4.6% today. Despite this encouraging progress, the high rates of maternal mortality remain a pressing issue, emphasizing the critical need for continued investment in safe abortion care, family planning, and broader maternal health services.
Through strengthened capacity for frontline healthcare providers and targeted efforts to bridge service gaps in underserved regions, ESOG and its partners demonstrate their unwavering commitment to evidence-based, equitable interventions that can save lives and strengthen Ethiopia’s health system.