Nathan Fikre Wondimeneh

I am a public health emergency management expert and physician with over eight years of experience in Ethiopia’s
public health system, specializing in strategic planning, resource alignment, and national surveillance system
strengthening. At the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), I currently lead the development and implementation of
the National Public Health Surveillance Strategic Roadmap, aligning priorities with national health sector plans and
global frameworks. My work ensures that surveillance investments are optimized and
contribute directly to measurable health system improvements and emergency preparedness.
In my role as a Surveillance Officer under the Early Warning and Surveillance Directorate, I coordinate national efforts to modernize and digitize public health surveillance through platforms like DHIS2 and ePHEM, supporting both aggregate and case-based reporting. I oversee the analysis and reporting of performance indicators, translating data
into actionable insights that inform policy and decision-making across government and partner institutions.
I serve as the national lead coordinator for all-cause mortality surveillance, non-communicable disease (NCD)
surveillance, and Ethiopia’s collaborative surveillance initiatives. I have also led outbreak investigation and response for
vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and cholera, particularly
in hard-to-reach areas.
A core part of my work involves strengthening event- and community-based surveillance, building the capacity of PHEM
officers at subnational levels, and supporting the integration of early warning functions into routine health systems. I also spearhead Ethiopia’s flagship Center of Excellence for Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) initiative, facilitating its institutionalization and advancement toward designation as a WHO Collaborating Center.
My contributions extend to stakeholder coordination, policy brief development, and the promotion of learning and
innovation through evidence-sharing platforms. I hold a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH),
with evolving interests in health policy, digital health, genomic surveillance, and applied implementation researchresearch