Profile Q & A - Eritrea: A Model of a Primary Health Care System; Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa
Senior Officials (visiting and resident) of UN Development Agencies in Eritrea invariably portray a balanced, nuanced, and positive account of the development challenges and prospects as the interview (link below) illustrates.
*"...Eritrea’s model of largely free or highly subsidized health care is rooted in very strong principles of health equity. It is a notable achievement. However, any free or highly subsidized program usually faces financial, structural, and system-level challenges. To sustain it, the government must work on expanding physical infrastructure and domestic financing. If you want to maintain it, you have to sustain it, and to sustain it, you need a very stable financing process – whether through tax collection and subsidizing the health budget, or by increasing the health budget directly".
*"...I think that with more investment in health – and health has never been a cost; it is an investment that pays back quickly – if you have a healthy community and a healthy population, your people will be more productive. I was very impressed with this initial stage. Eritrea has 98% immunization coverage – you see that level in developed countries. Thus, investment in health is not a cost; in the long run, it contributes to the economic development of any country".
https://t.co/eGYncXoPSU
Congratulations to Biniam Girmay! 🇪🇷🚴♂️
The Eritrean star, riding for NSN Cycling Team, powered to a brilliant victory in the opening stage of the 2026 Baloise Belgium Tour - 17/06/2026
Well done, Bini
Excellent Read - The Light of Resilience: How the Candlelight Vigil Embodies #Eritrean Pride; by Kidane Shimendi
*"...It is the eve of June 20 - Martyrs Day - that brings the most visually stunning and emotionally charged tribute. As night falls, every household and street across Eritrea fills with the soft, flickering glow of candles. In this collective moment, the nation engages in a silent, sacred dialogue with the values and vision of its fallen heroes".
*"...On a community level, the candlelight vigil plays a vital role in social and mental well-being. It provides a shared space for collective grief, reflection, and ultimate triumph. As thousands of citizens stand shoulder-to-shoulder holding their flames, a powerful connection is forged between the living and the dead. The light brings individuals inward, connecting them directly to the core national values that define the Eritrean identity: unity, creativity, self-reliance, nationalism, and unbreakable comradeship".
https://t.co/ixFciN64qN
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has stated that GOE has disbursed, through monthly installments, over 6.2 billion Nacfa in tribute to, and, for the support of the families of Eritrea's Martyrs in the past twenty years (2004-2025).
ሃገር ኣብ ረዚን ዝኽሪ ሓበን!
VIVA BINI! 🇪🇷 @GrmayeBiniam wins Stage1️⃣of the @belgium_tour!
He proved it against the world's best. Pure performance. Pure confidence.
With his current best condition, July will be special. We are going to see him winning at the #TourdeFrance! Believe it. 📷 @SprintCycling
Government of Eritrea Disbursed Over 6.2 Billion Nakfa to Families of Martyrs
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare announced that, from 2004 to 2025, the Government of Eritrea disbursed over 6.2 billion Nakfa in support of families of martyrs.
Noting that the Government of Eritrea began extending support to families of martyrs in 1995, Mr. Zerai Tekleab, Director of Families of Martyrs’ Welfare at the Ministry, said that initially 10 thousand Nakfa was distributed to families of martyrs for each martyr.
Mr. Zerai went on to say that following the issuance of Proclamation No. 137/2003, aimed at sustainably extending support to families of martyrs, 500 Nakfa has been distributed monthly to families of martyrs for each martyr since January 2004.
Mr. Zerai also said that, as part of efforts to enable families of martyrs to become self-supportive, over 27 million Nakfa has been invested in rehabilitating families of martyrs through livestock and small-scale trade activities.
Regarding the contribution of nationals inside the country and abroad, Mr. Zerai said that every national in the Diaspora has taken the initiative to contribute 720 US dollars over two years, while others have assumed the responsibility of permanently supporting individual families of martyrs.
Mr. Zerai indicated that over the past 22 years, nationals inside the country and abroad have contributed over 202 million Nakfa, benefiting 24 thousand 545 families of martyrs.
Noting that nationals inside the country, including students, Government and PFDJ workers, as well as associations, are making valuable contributions in support of families of martyrs, Mr. Zerai called on every citizen to follow the noble initiative.
The Red Sea Boys. 🇪🇷⚽
More than a football team, they carry the hopes of a nation, the pride of a people, and the spirit of resilience that defines Eritrea. Every match is a reminder that the Eritrean flag flies not only through victory, but through determination, unity, and unwavering belief.
#Eritrea #RedSeaBoys #EritreaFootball #NationalTeam #Football #ProudlyEritrean 🇪🇷⚽