Under this project, and as part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of CPD centers, essential training and skills laboratory equipment have been procured. The procured items were prioritized based on the baseline assessment conducted at the beginning of the project in close collaboration with MoH. These items are essential to address the specific needs of the CPD centers in Addis Ababa, Debre Brihan, Adama, Arba Minch, Hawassa and Dire Dewa. Regardless of the challenges and setbacks, all planned materials were successfully procured and distributed to the respective centers. In total, 208 items were procured at a cost exceeding ETB 2 million.

The official handover ceremony marked an important milestone for the project and brought together key stakeholders. During the event, the MWF Chief Executive Director, Mr. Wondu Bekele, delivered a compelling message to CPD delegates, emphasizing the importance of transforming CPD centers into centers of excellence and sharing insightful reflections drawn from his long-standing professional and personal experience. The MoH CPD Desk Head, Mr. Tegene Arega, also took part in the program and underscored the importance of quality, practice-oriented training, noting that this support being the first of its kind and highly appreciated the donor and MWF as an important contribution to strengthening CPD systems.

CPD center coordinators and delegates expressed strong appreciation and highlighting the relevance of the equipment in supporting NCD trainings and broader clinical capacity building. They noted that many of the procured items had previously been unavailable in their CPD skills laboratories which had limited their ability to practical skills. For instance, in one CPD center within a specialized hospital, ToT sessions had been conducted without access to a spirometer but through this project practical spirometry training was conducted for the first time using the newly procured equipment. The CPD delegates reaffirmed their commitment to use the materials effectively and responsibly to enhance the quality and impact of CPD training services.