Mogadishu, Somalia – The 6th Intergovernmental Health Sector Coordination Meeting officially opened in Mogadishu, bringing together top officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and State-level Ministries of Health to enhance collaboration and drive improvements in Somalia’s healthcare system.
The high-level forum serves as a critical platform for aligning federal and state health priorities, policies, and service delivery mechanisms. Participants discussed strategies to strengthen coordination in the implementation of national health programs, optimize the use of resources, and reinforce the delivery of equitable and quality health services across all regions of the country.
Dr. Ali Hajiadam Abubakar, the federal Minister of Health and Human Services, emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and joint planning.
“Effective intergovernmental coordination is vital for building a resilient health system that can meet the needs of every Somali citizen,” stated the federal health minister.
Key agenda items included harmonizing health financing, addressing workforce shortages, scaling up essential health services, and improving health information systems. The meeting also reviewed progress on universal health coverage and discussed approaches to strengthen primary healthcare in line with the Somali Health Sector Strategic Plan.
Representatives from international partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and key NGOs, attended the meeting to reaffirm their support for Somalia’s health development goals. Many expressed appreciation for the government’s commitment to improving health governance and called for sustained investment and accountability.
The coordination meeting comes at a time when Somalia continues to face multiple public health challenges, including maternal and child mortality, communicable diseases, and limited access to quality care in rural and conflict-affected areas. Stakeholders agreed on the urgent need to scale up efforts to achieve better health outcomes and resilience.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from both federal and state authorities to reinforce joint planning, shared responsibilities, and unified efforts to transform Somalia’s health sector.