Table 1.

Major pro–poor policies and initiatives in Ethiopia

Pro–poor initiatives	Year implemented	Objective	Key outcomes
Introduction of Health Extension Program	2003	To achieve universal primary health care coverage which mainly benefits low–income households	More than 38 000 health extension workers have been deployed in 16 500 villages of the country; and universal primary health care coverage has been achieved.
Establishment of Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency	2006	To ensure accessibility and affordability of essential medicines and laboratory investigations	Medicines and laboratory investigations for key health conditions have been provided free of charge; out–of–pocket expenditures have reduced; health services utilization has improved; and health MDG targets have been met.
Health Development Army Program with community soolidarity fuding	2012	To disseminate health information and facilitate uptake of critical health services and finance priority challenges identified by the community	Procured more than 200 ambulance vehicles for medical referral; constructed health posts and maternity waiting homes at rural health centers; and Health Development Armies have actively involved in health facility governance to improve the quality of health services.
Scaling up Community–based Health Insurance scheme	2015	To provide quality health care without financial hardship to the poor in informal sector	By the end of 2016, 50% of citizens in informal sector are expected to be covered.
Implementation of Social Health Insurance scheme	2016	To deliver quality health care and ensure financial protection to citizens employed in formal sector and achieve universal health coverage	All employees of formal sector are expected to be covered by the end of 2016.