Hargeisa, Somaliland – The Ministry of Health Development has stepped up nationwide emergency measures to tackle a surge in infectious diseases, following a concerning rise in Diphtheria, Measles, and Malaria cases across Somaliland.
Health Minister Dr. Hussein Bashiir Hirsi presented the situation to the Council of Ministers, outlining a series of coordinated national interventions designed to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen public health resilience.
At the heart of the response is the Big-Catchup immunization campaign, a large-scale operation mobilizing 533 medical teams across every region. The campaign is targeting 182,000 children, many of whom missed critical vaccinations due to drought displacement and accessibility challenges. The effort aims not only to prevent further outbreaks but also to rebuild public confidence in routine immunization after years of health system strain.
In addition to the emergency vaccination drive, the Ministry is advancing a digital transformation of Somaliland’s healthcare system. Dr. Hirsi confirmed the rollout of two flagship digital platforms — the DHI2 HIV Tracker and the e-Immunization Registry (eIR) — to enhance health data collection, improve patient tracking, and ensure timely delivery of essential services.
These innovations mark a major step toward a more connected and transparent health system, allowing health workers to access real-time information and respond more effectively to disease trends.
The Council’s discussion reflected growing concern over the intersection of climate shocks, population movements, and disease transmission — challenges that continue to test the resilience of the national health infrastructure. Still, officials remain confident that the ongoing digital reforms and rapid-response immunization drives will help avert a wider public health crisis and lay the groundwork for a stronger, data-driven healthcare future.