Realizing the dire situation of the health care needs of SSH, and given the impact of the geo-political dispute over the region, over which both Somaliland and Puntland administrations claim authority – an act which resulted in discouraging international NGO’s from providing direct humanitarian aid to the region - SSHDA felt that it is compelled to undertake the initiative to address and advocate for the health care needs of SSH region. As a result, during SSHDA’s 4th annual convention, a study regarding the health situation in SSH and what needs to be done was presented, and launched SSHDA Pilot Health Project.
Goals & Objectives:
The goals and objectives of SSHDA’s health project include but are not limited to the following:
Supporting and strengthening the healthcare delivery systems in SSH region in an attempt to sufficiently meet the health care needs of SSH people and to reduce disease burdens by providing affordable Essential Health Services;
Supporting the development of specific public health priority programs such us early immunization programs, malaria control, TB control, cholera/dysentery prevention and response, HIV/AIDS awareness and control, Polio eradication, Reproductive health and management of childhood illnesses.
Increasing the human resource capacity of the health sector to enable adequate service delivery.
Improving community participation, knowledge, attitudes and practices to reduce the impact of harmful customs and develop self-sustainable health care system.
Increasing awareness of the importance of safe and potable water as well as sanitation and hygiene issues at the community and household levels.
What are the needed health programs?
Delivery of Essential Health Services
Priority on Control of Communicable Diseases
Critical Reproductive Health Services
Expanded Program on Immunization
Emergency Preparedness and Response to Epidemics
Decentralized Public Health Support
Nutritional Supplementation
Rehabilitation of Urban and Rural Water Supply Systems Including Construction of Community Sanitation System
Rapid Response to Sudden Disasters
Estimated Cost of Urgently-Needed but Health-Specific Projects:
Rehabilitation and Rebuilding Existing Health Infrastructures $600,000
Health Sector Reform Assistance $100,000
Training of Health Professionals $120,000
Monitoring, Disease Surveillance and Evaluation Activities $50,000
Supplies and Essential Drugs for Hospitals, MCHs, and Health Posts $600,000
Communication and Social Mobilization Strategy $150,000
Technical Assistance $300,000
Direct and Indirect Program Support $276,000
TOTAL COST $2,296,000
SSHDA Health Pilot Project (with estimated cost of $229,600):
SSHDA’s Health Pilot Project will consist of the following:
Renovation and Rebuilding of Las Anod General Hospital (LAGH)
Purchasing 3 Ambulances to transport patients from the region’s districts and villages
Providing food for inpatients in Las Anod Hospital ($40/person per month)
Providing incentives and salary for the region’s 5 doctors as well as LAGH’s hospital administrators and 17 nurses and nursing assistants
Construction of three more wards in LAGH and public latrines/bathrooms
Improvement of LAGH’s sewage system including the purchase of dumping trucks for garbage clearance.
Reality and Recommendations:
Despite the small number of money needed to sufficiently address the health care needs SSH region given its population and the vast amount of money spent in health care in similar regions of the world, the reality is that SSHDA and it’s members will not be able to raise one-tenth of the money needed to care for the 400,000 people living in SSH region. In fact, if look at the pledges promised by SSH community for SSHDA’s education project, we can safely conclude that the likelihood of collecting even one-tenth of the amount of money needed to provide an effective and sufficient health project for SSH region is almost impossible. In light of these facts, SSHDA decided to initiate and implement a pilot health project that focuses on the rehabilitation and modernization of Las Anod Hospital as a regional medical center that can sufficiently provide essential medical services similar to those provided by other regional hospitals in Somalia, such as Burco and Galkacyo Hospitals.
SSHDA Health Team:
SSHDA put together highly qualified professionals in the field of Medicine, Health, and Public Hygiene to spearhead, lead, and coordinate this effort on behalf of SSHDA. The Health Pilot Project Team is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
N.B.
Please note that the above information regarding the health situation of SSH, the community needs and the cost needed to help improve the situation in the region was gathered by SSHDA Health Committee, through consultations and surveys from the local doctors and health professionals in SSH.
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