Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Acting Minister of Health, Dr. Maryama Hussein, welcomed the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, Pier Mario Daccò, along with a delegation of professors from the University of Palermo, for high-level discussions on strengthening Somalia’s health workforce through the PAIS-FUS project.
The PAIS-FUS (Partnership for Academic and Institutional Strengthening – Federal and University Support) project is a joint Somali-Italian initiative aimed at building capacity within Somalia’s healthcare system by enhancing the training and development of health professionals.
During the meeting, Dr. Hussein expressed appreciation for Italy’s long-standing support to Somalia’s health sector, emphasizing the urgency of workforce development to address the country’s growing public health needs.
“The PAIS-FUS project will help bridge the gap in qualified health professionals and improve the quality of care across Somalia,” said Dr. Hussein.
“We are committed to working with our partners to implement sustainable solutions for the health sector,” she added.
Ambassador Daccò reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s reconstruction efforts, especially in education and healthcare. He highlighted the role of academic collaboration, noting that the University of Palermo would provide technical expertise and institutional support.
The meeting concluded with both sides pledging to accelerate the implementation of the PAIS-FUS project and explore further avenues for academic and technical cooperation.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Somalia’s broader health sector reform and aligns with the country’s National Development Plan and Universal Health Coverage goals.