By Horn Tribune Contributors
Religious leaders in Somaliland have committed to using their influence within mosques, religious gatherings and communities to promote childhood immunization, polio eradication, maternal health and better nutrition for women and children.
The commitment followed a two-day dialogue led by Somaliland Ministry of Health Development and partners on 15–16 September 2026, bringing together 20 religious leaders alongside government health officials, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) representatives and polio survivors. The dialogue aimed to strengthen faith-based advocacy, address misconceptions about vaccination and encourage families to access essential health and nutrition services.
The discussions came as Somaliland advances its National Immunization Strategy 2026–2030, with continued efforts needed to reach children who have never received routine vaccines, particularly those living in nomadic communities, remote settlements and underserved urban areas.
Building Trust in Immunization Through Faith
The first day focused on immunization and polio eradication, bringing together religious leaders and health experts to discuss vaccine safety, routine immunization schedules and the risks posed by vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio and measles.
Senior officials from the Somaliland Ministry of Health Development, including the Director General, the Director of Child Health and Immunization, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Manager and a WHO immunization representative, participated in the discussions.
Health experts responded to questions and concerns raised by leaders about vaccine ingredients, safety, sourcing and storage. Participants also discussed how misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and prevent children from receiving life-saving vaccines.
The dialogue explored the relationship between Islamic teachings and preventive healthcare, emphasizing the shared responsibility to protect life, care for vulnerable members of society and seek appropriate medical treatment.
By bringing religious perspectives together with evidence-based health information, the session provided an opportunity to address concerns openly and strengthen religious leaders’ capacity to communicate accurate information to their communities.
Bringing Maternal and Child Health to the Community
The second day focused on maternal and child health and nutrition, highlighting the importance of antenatal and postnatal care, breastfeeding, maternal nutrition, micronutrient supplementation, anaemia prevention and appropriate feeding practices for infants and young children.
Participants discussed the need to encourage early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life, alongside appropriate complementary feeding thereafter.
Attention was given to the role of fathers and other family members in supporting women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, helping them access health services and ensuring that mothers and children receive adequate nutrition.
Religious leaders recognized that religious platforms and community gatherings offer important opportunities to share accurate health information, challenge misconceptions and encourage families to adopt positive health-seeking behaviours.
Faith Leaders as Champions for Child Health
At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants committed to integrating messages on immunization, polio prevention, maternal health and nutrition into Friday sermons, religious gatherings and community outreach activities.
They also pledged to encourage parents to complete their children’s vaccination schedules, promote optimal infant and young child feeding practices, support maternal health service uptake and raise awareness of anaemia prevention.
To sustain these efforts, the workshop identified community advocates, including faith leaders and polio survivors, who can help mobilize communities and promote positive health behaviours. Advocacy video messages recorded during the workshop will also support efforts to communicate key health messages more widely.
The participation of polio survivors provided a powerful reminder of the long-term consequences of polio and the importance of protecting every child through vaccination.
Strengthening Collaboration for Lasting Impact
The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development welcomed the engagement of religious leaders ensuring that trusted community voices complement the delivery of essential health services.
As Somaliland works to improve immunization coverage and maternal and child health outcomes, engaging faith leaders will remain an important approach to reaching underserved populations, building public confidence and encouraging families to make informed decisions about their health.
By working together, faith leaders, health authorities and communities can help ensure that every child is protected through immunization and that every mother and child has the opportunity to thrive.