Jimma University in Ethiopia is advancing national efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the Local Production of Antibiotic Disc (LoPAD) project, an innovative initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the LEAD Innovation Challenge Program. The project explores local production of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) discs, aiming to reduce dependence on imported laboratory supplies, ensure timely availability, and strengthen Ethiopia’s diagnostic capacity and AMR surveillance system.
On 17 February 2026, a joint delegation from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, and WHO visited Jimma University to review progress and discuss scaling the innovation. The team observed the successful experimental production and testing of four AST discs—Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Cotrimoxazole—with performance comparable to commercially available products. These discs are essential laboratory tools that guide clinicians in selecting effective antibiotics and monitoring AMR trends.
The delegation evaluated comprehensive quality assurance measures, including potency, repeatability, reproducibility, uniformity, and stability. External inter-laboratory verification further confirmed the reliability and consistency of the locally produced discs. High-level discussions brought together Jimma University leadership and senior representatives from government and international organizations to explore transitioning the innovation from research to scalable manufacturing, addressing regulatory alignment, quality assurance, and approval pathways.
Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening Ethiopia’s local innovation ecosystem to develop sustainable health technologies. They identified opportunities and challenges in translating academic research into market-ready products that meet national public health priorities. Key priority actions were agreed upon, including enhancing stakeholder coordination, establishing a dedicated innovation testing and production facility at Jimma University, building capacity for the Ethiopian Standards Agency to approve emerging technologies, and engaging with regulatory authorities to ensure quality standards are met.
Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Systems and Policy Advisor at WHO Ethiopia, praised Jimma University for its leadership, noting that the LoPAD project represents a milestone in strengthening diagnostic capacity and Ethiopia’s response to AMR. Locally driven innovations like LoPAD demonstrate the country’s ability to turn research into practical health solutions, improving access to essential laboratory tools while enhancing national resilience against antimicrobial resistance. Collaboration among academia, government, and international partners is central to translating such innovations into scalable solutions that expand laboratory access, protect public health, and strengthen Ethiopia’s health system.
