news & announcement
ERIPHA Holds Advocacy Meeting in Zoba Maekel, Calls for United Front to Strengthen Public Health Workforce
Date: 13 August 2026
Location: Asmara, Eritrea
Continuing its mission to unify and empower public health professionals across the nation, the Eritrean Public Health Association (ERIPHA) Executive Committee held a dedicated advocacy meeting on August 13th at the Edaga Hamus Hospital conference hall, Zoba Maekel.
The meeting served as a vital platform to assess the association's progress, address current challenges, and strategize for the future. In his opening remarks, ERIPHA President Dr. Fitsum Kibreab reflected on the association's recent successes while candidly discussing the operational hurdles the association currently faces.
A key focal point of the meeting was regional membership engagement. Mr. Meron Mengstaeb, the ERIPHA Representative for Zoba Maekel, presented a detailed overview of the current membership landscape. He revealed that, to date, only 39% of eligible public health professionals in the region have been officially registered with the association. This statistic highlighted a significant opportunity for growth and collective advocacy.
Addressing this gap, ERIPHA General Secretary Mrs. Hanna Tesfaslasie delivered an empowering presentation that served as the cornerstone of the event. Urging her fellow professionals to rethink the value of professional networks, she stated: "We must join not simply to receive a service, but to actively build a strong, resilient association."
The two-hour session concluded with a dynamic 45-minute Q&A segment, allowing attendees to voice their perspectives, share field experiences, and propose actionable solutions. The meeting ended on a highly productive note, with clear action items assigned to participants to drive the association's mandate forward in Zoba Maekel.
ERIPHA remains committed to advocating for the public health workforce and encourages all eligible professionals to register and become active contributors to the health sector in Eritrea.