By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro said on Tuesday that his administration is committed fully to adhering on to its pledges and see to it that the health sector is gradually fledged and bolstered such that the majority of the populaces in the country may have access to free or cheap services.
He further noted that health services and education were the main basic services that the population has a right to hence have to be tangibly realized.
The Head of State made the remarks as led the launching of the National Health Policy Conference on Tuesday; whose symposium is expected to formulate comprehensive policies that has to make the way forward the implementation of positive actions tailored for the sector.
The conference is convened by the Ministry of Health Development, and held at the Ambassador Hotel, Hargeisa.
The President underscored the state’ commitment to relentlessly expand and improve basic health services for the people of Somaliland. The President stated that access to health services is a fundamental right of all citizens of the country.
He said that the government will spare no effort to improve the health system in the country, by expanding access to quality health care, modernizing Primary Health Care Centers across the regions and districts, and investing in primary health services.
He urged all stakeholders – government agencies, health care professionals, and community leaders – to unite in addressing health challenges so that we can achieve sustainable development in health services.
He lamented that apart from the main urban centers, access to modern health services in the rural areas was non-existent.
He similarly decried sub-standard medicinal drugs peddled in the country and called for stricter measures.
He described the sad situation of the majority of patients seeking medical attention abroad only to be told that their plights had been exacerbated by poor/wrong diets, and or, wrong/poor medications.
The President’s speech was encouraging to the populaces, and also boosted the confidence of the citizens of Somaliland in the health services improvement program of the WADDANI government administration.
On their part, the Minister, Deputy Minister and Director General of the Ministry of Health Development elaborated in depth and eloquently on the clear objectives of the National General Health Policy for both short and long term plans. The most important points that the Ministry officials summarized on the purpose of the National Health Policy were:
- Establishment and Implementation of National Health Insurance,
- National Health Financing Strategy,
- National Health Decentralization Plan at Districts Level,
- Strengthening Partnerships between the Ministry of Health Development and Health Stakeholders,
- Facilitating Health Services for People with Special Needs,
- Dealing with Chronic Diseases, and,
- Establishment of the Somaliland Center for Disease Control (Somaliland CDC).