Habari Medical Plaza opened its doors in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, marking a 500 million birr private investment aimed at reducing the flow of Ethiopian patients travelling abroad for medical care.

The launch, attended by Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe and Health Minister Dr Mekdes Daba, comes amid estimates that Ethiopian patients spend over one billion US dollars annually seeking treatment overseas. The centre seeks to capture part of this outflow by offering high-quality domestic alternatives.

Dr ​​Akeze Taeme, founder and owner of Habari Medical Plaza, said the facility was designed not only to serve local patients but also to attract clients from neighbouring countries, positioning Addis Ababa as an emerging hub for regional medical tourism.

The centre provides outpatient services across fifteen specialties, including internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology, and cardiology. It also offers VIP medical packages for clients seeking expedited and comprehensive care. Patients requiring inpatient or surgical treatment will be referred to partner institutions such as American Medical Center, Samaritan Surgical Center, and Axon Stroke and Spine Center.

Mayor Adanech Abebe said the city administration is actively expanding healthcare capacity, complementing ongoing government projects with private sector participation. She noted that three new hospitals are currently under construction in Addis Ababa and encouraged private investment in high-quality healthcare infrastructure.

Dr Akeza highlighted that the centre’s establishment addresses the rising demand for specialised medical services domestically, offering an alternative to costly international treatment and contributing to the local economy.