EPSS Health Procurement Directive: Workshop Held from February 10–12, 2026 for Internal EPSS Regulators
Chief of Staff Mr Daniel Tesfaye opened the three‑day workshop with a clear call to action: work as one cohesive, harmonised team across all internal procurement actors. He emphasised that familiarising internal regulators with the new procurement directive is essential to removing communication barriers between procurement staff and regulators. He also extended his appreciation to everyone involved in organising this important session.
Why Internal Regulators Matter
Recognising the critical role internal regulators play in ensuring compliance, CIPS/HPA, in collaboration with EPSS, convened a focused training from 10–12 February 2026. The goal was to explore the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) pharmaceutical procurement directive in depth—clarifying key provisions and translating them into practical, day‑to‑day application.
Inside the Three‑Day Workshop
Over three days, internal EPSS regulators:
- Explored the directive’s core provisions and how these inform routine procurement decisions.
- Applied the guidance to real‑world scenarios, strengthening consistency and confidence in implementation.
- Focused on risk identification, using routine regulatory activities to spot potential non‑conformities early and protect both the institution and procurement professionals.
- Engaged in highly interactive sessions—asking questions, sharing experiences, and addressing practical challenges collectively.
The depth of engagement and the quality of dialogue demonstrated the strong potential of EPSS internal regulators to uphold the procurement principles embedded in the directive.
A Clear Mandate Going Forward
In his closing remarks, H.E. Mr Tariku Belachew, Deputy Director General of EPSS, underscored the path ahead: internal regulators should prioritise reinforcing existing internal guidelines and ensuring their alignment with revised standard operating procedures (SOPs). This alignment will be key to consistent, compliant, and efficient procurement across the institution.
Appreciation
Our sincere thanks go to all trainees, coordinators, and trainers for their active participation and meaningful contributions. Finally, we extend our gratitude to the EPSS leadership team for approving and supporting this crucial capacity‑building effort.
Together, we are building a unified, standards‑driven procurement culture—one that safeguards compliance, strengthens performance, and ultimately ensures better outcomes for the communities we serve.
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