Hawassa, Ethiopia | July 2026 – The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with support from Irish Aid, has launched a Case management followed by National Training of Trainers (ToT) on the revised WHO 2025 Training Package for the Inpatient Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), marking an important step towards the revision of the national training package towards improving the quality of care for children with severe wasting and related medical complications.
The training, taking place in Hawassa from 29 June to 9 July 2026, brings together national experts, clinicians, academics and public health professionals across Ethiopia to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide high-quality, lifesaving care for children affected by severe acute malnutrition.
The initiative supports the implementation of WHO’s updated recommendations on the prevention and management of severe acute malnutrition and nutritional oedema in children under five years of age. By equipping frontline health workers with the latest evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills, the programme aims to improve treatment outcomes, reduce preventable child deaths and strengthen nutrition services in hospitals nationwide.
The national training builds on Ethiopia’s participation in the regional WHO Training of Trainers programme coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Africa. Ethiopia was one of six English-speaking African countries selected to participate in the regional initiative, preparing national trainers to lead the rollout of the revised training package within their respective countries.
Severe acute malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia. Children with severe wasting, particularly those with medical complications, face a significantly increased risk