Jimma University successfully organized a dissemination workshop and impact evaluation training in Addis Ababa, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and health sector stakeholders to review critical findings from a comprehensive study on Ethiopia’s sliding-scale Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme. The event served as a platform to discuss evidence-based approaches for enhancing healthcare accessibility and equity nationwide.
The workshop centered on findings from an ongoing impact evaluation study conducted through a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) approach, led by Prof. Zewdie Birhanu and his research team. The study examined the effectiveness of the sliding-scale CBHI model in improving healthcare access for low-income households while ensuring financial sustainability of the insurance scheme. Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University, officially opened the event by emphasizing the crucial role of CBHI in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ethiopia. “This research provides us with valuable evidence to strengthen our health financing strategies and move closer to health equity for all Ethiopians,” Dr. Jemal remarked during his opening address.
Representatives from national and regional health offices engaged in thorough discussions about the study’s implications for policy and practice. Key topics included optimizing the sliding-scale premium structure to ensure fairness, developing targeted strategies to increase enrollment among vulnerable populations, and improving mechanisms to translate research findings into practical policy improvements. The workshop also featured specialized training sessions on impact evaluation methodologies, equipping participants with enhanced skills to conduct and utilize health policy research effectively.
The event highlighted the strong commitment of Ethiopian health authorities to evidence-based policymaking, with participants reaffirming their dedication to applying these research insights to strengthen CBHI implementation across the country. Funded by the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) through the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), this initiative demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in developing locally relevant solutions for health financing challenges.
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