Health

The UNICEF Health Programme in Somalia is comprised of three projects:

• Strengthening childcare services,
• Safe motherhood, and
• Child immunization.

Access, utilization and the quality of essential health services are enhanced in each through support to an increasing number of facilities offering a minimum package of care.

Providing basic health care services is complemented by supporting the development of institutional capacities, including training health care personnel, supporting policy development and continued health sector reform. In the future, cost-sharing approaches will be expanded, while ensuring that safety nets for the most vulnerable groups continue to exist.

Insecurity and poor access makes Somalia one of the most challenging countries in the world in which humanitarian agencies operate. Immunization campaigns must employ innovative methods to reach population groups that are sometimes volatile and often hard to reach. Highly mobile nomadic groups increase the logistic complications.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) through routine immunization and polio National Immunization Days (NIDS), aims to protect a progressively larger group of children against vaccine-preventable diseases. Polio eradication efforts will continue at an expanded level to ensure the eradication of the virus from Somalia.

UNICEF continues to provide supplies such as basic drugs, insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria, vaccines and medical equipment, while ensuring timely and effective response during emergencies. Special emphasis is placed on safe motherhood practices, support to ante-natal care, home delivery assistance and emergency obstetric care.

The school health project will be expanded in conjunction with the education programme. Information dissemination and health education continues through community health workers, traditional birth attendants and media channels. 

In all interventions, UNICEF works closely with the Somalia Support Secretariat (formerly known as the Somalia Aid Coordination Body) health sector partners, local authorities, the private sector and community-based organizations.