Somalia’s Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, is spearheading a door-to-door initiative throughout Benadir Region to address a severe diphtheria outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of at least 50 children and infected over 1,000 others.
In partnership with local authorities amidst the current municipal elections, the campaign encourages parents to have their children vaccinated against diphtheria. Health authorities stress that community involvement is essential for containing the highly contagious bacterial infection, which mainly impacts unvaccinated youngsters.
Schools across Benadir are actively participating by raising health awareness, locating unvaccinated pupils, and assisting vaccination teams. A focused response vaccination drive, which took place from December 15 to 20, provided thousands of children with critical vaccines and health education materials.
The federal government is collaborating with United Nations agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization to enhance disease monitoring, increase immunization access, and engage communities. Officials have highlighted that prompt vaccination is the most reliable method to prevent fatalities and additional spread of diphtheria.
Health professionals are persistently appealing to parents and guardians to work with vaccination personnel to safeguard children and halt the progression of the outbreak.
