New WHO-Supported Project Launches to Improve NCD Care in Ethiopia

With support from the World Health Organization, a new modeling project is launching to evaluate the impact of Ethiopia’s healthcare financing reforms on non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes. Led by Dr. Jalali and collaborators in Ethiopia, the project will use systems dynamics modeling to understand how reforms—such as community-based health insurance and user fee policies—affect treatment uptake, access to essential medicines, and quality of care for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

The work focuses on the Amhara Region and includes stakeholder engagement, causal loop diagramming, and the development of a simulation model and interactive online interface. Beyond evaluating current reforms, the project aims to help policymakers prioritize interventions and embed systems thinking into ongoing policy processes.

Ethiopia is making major moves toward universal health coverage—this project supports that momentum by helping identify what’s working and where to invest next.