AMN PLUS-June 12, 2026
Ethiopiaโs Ministry of Defense has signed a landmark joint venture agreement with Indiaโs Padiyath Health Care Group to strengthen specialized healthcare services and expand access to world-class medical treatment within the country.
The agreement was signed by Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed and Padiyath Health Care Group Chairman, Dr. Hazeeb Rahman.
The signing ceremony also brought together Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba, Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai, and senior officials from the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital and Diagnostic Group.
The partnership aims to modernize medical infrastructure, introduce advanced healthcare technologies, and promote knowledge and skills transfer to elevate the quality of specialized medical services to international standards.
The Bishoftu-based Defense Specialized Referral Hospital and Diagnostic Group, inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in May 2024, was recently restructured into a comprehensive healthcare group following a Council of Ministers decision designed to enhance its competitiveness and expand service delivery.
Speaking at the accord signing, Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed described the agreement as a historic milestone that supports ongoing military modernization efforts, including reforms across the defense health system, from frontline medical units to specialized referral centers.
โThe agreement will further strengthen the remarkable capabilities the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital and Diagnostic Group has demonstrated in various medical disciplines since its establishment,โ she said.
Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba emphasized that the partnership reflects the governmentโs commitment to building centers of excellence and enhancing national healthcare sovereignty.
She noted that expanding access to high-quality medical services would help position Ethiopia as a leading healthcare destination in East Africa.
โThis institution should serve as a cornerstone of Ethiopiaโs growing health tourism initiative, creating momentum that extends far beyond the capital,โ she said.
Indian Ambassador Anil Kumar Rai described the venture as a significant step in strengthening patient-centered healthcare services for both military personnel and civilians. He noted that healthcare has become a key pillar of the growing partnership between Ethiopia and India.
Given Ethiopiaโs prominent role in regional peacekeeping missions, the ambassador encouraged the development of the Bishoftu facility into a continental emergency medical hub capable of serving African Union peacekeeping personnel and patients from across the continent.
For his part, Padiyath Health Care Group Chairman, Dr. Hazeeb Rahman said the partnership seeks to establish a world-class referral network in Ethiopia that delivers advanced healthcare services at affordable costs.
โOur goal is not only to provide world-class healthcare but also to ensure that these services remain accessible and affordable to the wider population,โ he said.
Operating across Africa and Asia, Padiyath Health Care Group focuses on reducing outbound medical tourism by bringing specialized treatments, advanced diagnostics, and modern healthcare technologies closer to the communities it serves.
Officials said the joint venture marks a major step toward transforming the Defense Specialized Referral Hospital and Diagnostic Group into a highly competitive center of excellence serving both military personnel and the broader public, according to Pulse of Africa.
