• Ethiopia to deploy electronic medical information systems in 130 health facilities.
• Initiative is part of a 10-year national digital health strategy.
• Expansion faces challenges in cybersecurity, staff training, and rural connectivity.

Ethiopia has launched the deployment of electronic medical information systems across 130 health facilities, the Ministry of Health announced on September 23. The rollout is part of the government’s 10-year national digital health strategy aimed at aligning the sector with international standards.

Hospitals will gradually replace paper records with integrated digital platforms to centralize payments, consultations, and test results. Patients are expected to gain easier access to their medical history, while providers will benefit from faster, data-driven decision-making.

Officials said the project will also improve service efficiency and transparency, harmonize diagnostics, and enhance planning for medical staff and equipment.

In the medium term, the government plans to extend the program nationwide and integrate it with services such as telemedicine and predictive analytics. However, risks remain around cybersecurity, staff training, and limited internet penetration in rural areas.

Ethiopia ranked Tier 3 in the International Telecommunication Union’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, with a score of 76.34 out of 100. Internet penetration stood at 21.3% at the start of 2025, according to DataReportal.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum