PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DIGEST JUNE 2026

Abstract

Pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in Ethiopia continue to face persistent and interrelated challenges in accessing essential primary health care services. Geographic isolation and seasonal mobility disrupt continuity of primary health care and limit regular contact with health facilities, while low health literacy, language barriers, and deeply rooted cultural norms influence care-seeking behaviors, particularly for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and nutrition (RMNCH-N) services(1,2). These challenges are further compounded by recurrent crises such as flooding and disease outbreaks, as well as chronic shortages of supplies, staffing gaps, and inadequate infrastructure at frontline health posts(3). Collectively, these factors contribute to low utilization of RMNCH-N services and widen equity gaps within the national health system(3).