Israel Ataro Otoro is a public health specialist with extensive experience in Ethiopia's health system, from the grassroots level to his current leadership role at the national Ministry of Health. He holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Public Health from Jimma and Hawassa Universities, respectively.

He currently leads the Community Engagement and Primary Health Care Executive Office at the MOH. This office oversees the National Community Engagement and Health Extension Program Desk, Health Centers Service Desk, and National WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and Environmental Health Program. He is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health at the University of South Africa.


He plays a critical role in coordinating and leading these programs, recognizing primary health care as the cornerstone of achieving universal health coverage in Ethiopia. He actively contributes to research that informs program development and strengthens the health system in Ethiopia.


Previous Positions:



Director, Health Extension and Primary Health Care Directorate, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Deputy Bureau Head and Core Process Owner, Disease Prevention and Control Program, Addis Ababa City Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Lecturer and Vice Provost, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Deputy Bureau Head, SNNP Regional Health Bureau, and Owner, HIV/AIDS Multi-sectoral Response Core Process, Hawassa, Ethiopia


Head, Dawuro Zone Health Department and


Head, Genna Bossa Woreda Health Office, Dawuro Zone, SNNPR