SOMALIA – The Ministry of Health and Human Services of the Federal Government of Somalia has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Embassy of Italy to initiate a US$3.2M health project focused on strengthening Somalia’s health system.

The US$3.2 million multi-year project titled ‘Improving essential health services in Somalia using a secondary hospital-based care approach’ seeks to improve delivery of essential health services at the secondary level care in the country.

The project will facilitate optimization of basic primary care services as well as fill in existing gaps in the provision of specialized, secondary health care such as emergency, critical, surgical care.

It will also offer referral services to at least 5 districts in each state, use solar power to deliver oxygen, refine waste management systems while ensuring gender balance in capacity development and employment.

Additionally, it will improve hospital management and ownership by the local health authorities along with improving the capability of health personnel to better respond to emergencies.

The project is also in line with the new Essential Package of Health Services 2020 for Somalia and it complements efforts towards achieving the target of Universal Health Coverage.

Subsequently, the Federal Ministry of Health collaborated with WHO and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to strengthen primary healthcare systems for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

The Health Ministry aims to achieve universal health coverage through strengthening hospital-based care for integrated delivery of secondary and critical care services along with improving hospital management system for effective service delivery.

The project will build resilient hospital-based care at health facilities in under-served states particularly Hudur General Hospital in South West state and Dhusamareb General Hospital in Galmudug state which are currently unable to meet health care needs of their respective populations.

It also presents a unique opportunity for Somalia to offer crucial, life-saving healthcare services aligned to the revised essential package of health services for the country to more Somalis especially those who are vulnerable and living in remote locations.

Federal Minister of Health and Human Services Dr Fawziya Abikar Nur acknowledged the Government of Italy for their continued support in the health sector as they are a key donor aiding secondary care and hospital management in Somalia.

“The financial aid will help Somalia to make strides in the provision of critical care for patients, strengthening of referral systems together and improving the overall credibility of public health facilities which is a crucial goal for Somalia’s health system,” said Dr Fawziya.

Ambassador of Italy to Somalia Alberto Vecchi revealed that the project will contribute to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in Somalia by linking the short-term goal of improving secondary level care to the long-term goal of the government improving essential health services.

“The project will foster peace and development among the communities being served with essential health services by contributing to addressing the root causes of tension and marginalization. It will also increase health equity,” added Alberto Vecchi.

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