BISHOFTU, Ethiopia — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital today, marking a significant advancement in health services for both military and civilian populations in the Oromia region. During the ceremony, Ahmed highlighted the facility’s dual role in providing care and reducing the need for overseas medical treatment.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the new hospital represents a culmination of efforts that span over three decades, emphasizing the national reforms that have taken place. He credited the Ministry of Defense for their pivotal role in bringing the project to fruition. The hospital is expected to lead by example in various sectors including agriculture, industry, and construction, as the country aims to bolster self-sufficiency and reduce foreign dependency for health services.

Abiy also urged professionals working abroad to return and contribute to their homeland, stressing the potential impact on national development and citizen welfare. The completion of this hospital, built to high standards, is intended to curtail government officials’ trips abroad for medical treatments, promoting local alternatives instead.

The prime minister also took the opportunity to shift the focus of the country’s health policy from prevention to treatment, expressing hope that more facilities like this would emerge across Ethiopia. This strategic pivot is aimed at reducing costs associated with overseas medical care and redirecting funds towards domestic development initiatives.