Introduction: The ministry of health and health development

Abstract

It is my pleasure to write a brief introductory note for this first issue of the Ethiopian Journal of Health Development. It is necessary for the health development policy of a nation to be thoughtfully planned, with well-defined objectives and properly outlined priorities; also, such a policy must be supported by a well-organized system of health research and evaluation. Of course, health research should be based on the community's needs and must emphasize critical analysis of the strategies and implementation of national health policy. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development intends to promote precisely this type of research, and it should therefore be commended, encouraged and supported in its task.