Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority Inaugurates New Day-care Centre
October 21, 2024, Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) officially inaugurated a new day-care centre aimed at supporting its employees, addressing a significant gap in childcare facilities. The ceremony was attended by the authority’s leadership and staff, with Director General, Heran Gerba leading the event.
In her opening remarks, Heran, emphasized the challenges faced by employees in the absence of childcare options. She noted that many appointed staff members had to take extended leave or resign due to the lack of facilities to care for their children. The newly opened day-care centre, located at the South East Addis Ababa branch, is staffed by trained health professionals and caregivers, specifically designed to alleviate these issues for the workforce.
Additionally, Heran announced that the authority is in the process of constructing a centre of excellence on government land in the Kaliti area. This facility will not only include various workspaces and a training centre but will also house an additional day-care centre, which she believes will provide a long-term solution to the childcare needs of employees once completed.
During the inauguration, Ato Solomon Amde, Executive Director of Competence and Human Resources, reiterated the importance of childcare facilities, referencing Federal Government Workers’ Proclamation 1064, which mandates that all federal offices provide such services. He highlighted that currently, 36 female workers and 11 male workers at EFDA have children under the age of three, and the establishment of this day-care facility will offer significant relief to these employees.
