The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Pathfinder International, a non-governmental family health organization, and John Snow, Incorporated, (JSI) a public health research and consulting firm, has launched a new $50 million family health program for Ethiopia. 

Inaugurated November 25th, the Family Health Program is a public/private sector initiative, which focuses on family planning and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child health. Its aim is to reduce population growth, improve maternal newborn and child health, and reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality.

The Integrated Family Health Program plans to support Health Extension Workers and volunteers in 360 woredas of the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationality and People's Regions, as well as in pocket areas of Benishanguel-Gumuz Region.

Ethiopian Federal Minister of Health Dr. Tedros Adhanom, and USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director Glenn Anders delivered remarks at the event. Program managers also presented speeches, emphasizing the need for collaboration among all those supporting the Health Sector Development Program III and the Health Extension Program.

The main objectives of the new program are to improve health practices at the household and community level; improve availability and quality of health services, products and information; strengthen key elements of the health system; and encourage systematic program learning to inform policy and program investment. The program will be crucial in realizing the National Accelerated Expansion of Primary Health Care goals and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in health the government of Ethiopia is committed to.

The Integrated Family Health Program is funded by the American people through USAID and will be run jointly by Pathfinder International and John Snow Incorporated, in partnership with the Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations (CORHA) and Academy for Educational Development (AED). Program support at the grassroots level will be undertaken by local non-governmental organizations operating in the areas.

The U.S. is committed to helping Ethiopia and other African nations to improving the quality of health for all Ethiopian families.