Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Addis Ababa Expands Health Services to Position Itself as a Health Tourism Hub
Addis Ababa is stepping up efforts to position itself as a regional health tourism destination, as the city expands modern healthcare infrastructure and upgrades medical services across all sub cities.
According to a statement shared on Facebook by Haftay Gebre Egzabhier, head of the Addis Ababa Communication Office, the city is developing technology driven health facilities, rehabilitating existing hospitals, and constructing internationally competitive medical centers. He said the initiative is part of Addis Ababa’s broader smart city agenda, aimed at improving residents’ quality of life while attracting visitors seeking medical services.
Haftay noted that the expansion is being supported through strong public private collaboration, which is helping to introduce advanced medical technologies and specialized healthcare services. He added that these efforts are improving access to quality healthcare and strengthening the city’s capacity to serve both domestic and international patients.
Separately, Addis Ababa Tourism Commissioner Hunde Kebede told Gazette Plus that health tourism is gaining importance within the city’s tourism sector. He explained that tourism includes a wide range of activities beyond leisure travel, such as academic, business, and health related visits.
The commissioner said that individuals who stay in a destination for more than 24 hours but less than a year are classified as tourists, a definition that includes people traveling for medical treatment.
Hunde pointed to countries such as India and Thailand as examples of how sustained investment in healthcare has driven the growth of health tourism. He noted that Addis Ababa is beginning to show similar momentum, with many people from different parts of Ethiopia already traveling to the capital to access medical services.
City officials say continued investment in modern health infrastructure and service quality will be key to determining whether Addis Ababa can establish itself as a competitive health tourism destination in Africa.
Editor’s Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in articles published by Horn News Hub are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or editorial stance of Horn News Hub. Publication does not imply endorsement.
