Major Developments in Somaliland’s Health Sector

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Major Developments in Somaliland’s Health Sector

 

Posted by: Maden Hargeisa April 18, 2012- Somaliland’s Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail (Seyli’i) cut the ribbon at the opening of the new wing of Hargeisa General Hospital. The event also marked the debut of the new dialysis program at the public hospital.

 

The hospital’s administration, visiting doctors from the UAE, the Minister of Health and the Minister of the Treasury were also present at the event which promoted the much needed dialysis program.

 

Somaliland’s Minister of Health Dr. Hussein Muhumed Mahamed popularly known as Hussein-Xoog explained how the government has improved service provision at the hospital over the years despite a shortage of resources. The Minister cited a partnership with the government of Finland that has made many changes possible. Those changes include the training of Somali doctors abroad. Fifteen Somaliland physicians are currently being trained in Finland to provide health care in Somaliland’s public hospitals and another ten are currently on the way.

 

Hargeisa General Hospital has also launched the kidney dialysis program. The dialysis equipment was purchased in 2009 however it has only just recently been brought into service due to the fact that the hospital did not have the means to employ technicians to run and maintain the equipment. However, concerted efforts between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Treasury ensured that the 55,000 USD needed to run the program for the next three years is available and the equipment is now in working order. The hospital is currently home to four foreign doctors, three of whom are specialists in Surgery and Obstetrics/Gynaecology. The bulk of the care at the hospital is provided by a cadre of local doctors.

 

Three more dialysis machines are on the way and will help treat Kidney patients living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B. The Minister urged the public to help in any way they can with this program, considering the high costs and the need for dialysis treatment in the community. According to Dr. Hussein diabetes and blood pressure related kidney diseases are common in Somaliland.

 

The Minister stressed the importance of training more doctors to help improve the quality of care provided by the hospital. The Ministry also announced a new program at the hospital that provides health care free of charge for pregnant women due to the high maternal mortality rate in the region. He also added that it is society’s duty to care for pregnant women and that the responsibility should be taken seriously by everyone in Somaliland.

 

The Minister of the Treasury Abdiaziz Mahamed Samaale praised the developments and said he sees the work of the Health Ministry as a benefit to the public and that the work being done in this hospital and others will help meet the health needs of Somaliland’s citizens.

 

The Vice President said the government is trying hard to improve health service delivery, education and water services and visible changes are emerging across these sectors. He also added that he hopes that the country’s citizens will help meet the costs of the new dialysis program, asking those who could afford to donate to do so.