Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center and Capital University, recently hosted a scientific conference in Mogadishu. The event focused on addressing maternal and child health data for the next five years. Researchers presented studies analyzing existing maternal and child health information, with the goal of improving these critical services across the nation.
After the conference, Abdiqadir Wehliye Afrax, the Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Human Services of the Federal Government of Somalia, spoke to the media, providing insights into the maternal and child health plan for the upcoming five years.
“The primary objective of this scientific conference was to collect data from healthcare facilities nationwide, both public and private,” Afrax explained. “We have gathered data from the past five years, encompassing information related to mothers and children, including infants.”
Afrax emphasized the importance of analyzing the collected data to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for improvement. “We aim to scrutinize the data to understand its implications at the national level, determine what is working well, identify any challenges or obstacles, and explore ways to enhance and elevate the quality of maternal and child health services based on the information we have gathered.”
The initial phase involved compiling the data from various sources, including maternal care during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and child immunization records from birth to the recommended age for receiving specific vaccines. This comprehensive approach has yielded valuable insights and challenged preconceived notions.
“The analysis has significantly broadened our perspectives and prompted us to re-evaluate our strategies moving forward,” Afrax stated. “While we have focused on data from public healthcare facilities, we recognize the need to incorporate information from private facilities as well. By integrating data from both sectors, we can obtain a more comprehensive and representative picture of the nation’s maternal and child health landscape.”
The Ministry’s data collection efforts are facilitated by the District Health Information Software (DHIS2), a platform that allows healthcare facilities to submit their data directly to the ministry. Afrax emphasized that this system lays the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation in the future.
During the event, several doctors specializing in maternal and child health were honored with certificates of appreciation, recognizing their dedicated efforts in serving the Somali people and contributing to the nation’s well-being.
As Somalia strives to improve maternal and child health outcomes, this collaborative effort between the government, research institutions, and healthcare professionals represents a significant step toward achieving comprehensive and data-driven solutions for a healthier nation.
