As an active member of the National Tobacco Control Coordinating Committee, the Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) participated in the official introduction and review workshop for the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI) Ethiopia Dashboard. The forum was organized by the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) in collaboration with the Health, Development and Anti-Malaria Association (HDAMA).
- Date: August 6, 2026
- Venue: Inter Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa
1. The Strategic Value of the Dashboard
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The TCDI Ethiopia dashboard serves as a crucial tool for consolidating data on tobacco consumption, policy implementation, and tobacco industry interference, enabling policymakers and stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions.
- Enhanced Accessibility: The inclusion of local languages, such as Amharic, broadens accessibility for domestic experts, community advocates, and the general public, fostering stronger multi-sectoral engagement.
2. Ensuring Project Continuity and Sustainability
- Ownership and Transition: With the project scheduled to conclude in October, discussions placed strong emphasis on ensuring the long-term sustainability and ownership of the dashboard through close partnership with the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA).
- Real-Time Data Updates: Stakeholders emphasized that to effectively counteract industry tactics, data updates should be conducted more frequently rather than limited to bi-annual cycles.
3. Key Recommendations for the Way Forward
- Strengthen continuous data updating and population mechanisms to maintain relevance.
- Cascade the dashboard’s utilization down to lower administrative tiers through targeted capacity-building training.
- Integrate comprehensive data regarding tobacco cessation services, treatment centers, and relapse prevention into the platform.
MCDO remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing public health, strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, and supporting sustainable tobacco control initiatives across Ethiopia.