Somalia Showcases Health Progress At Geneva Conference As National Immunization Rate Reaches 76%

GENEVA: Somalia’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, has participated in the 64th Arab Ministerial Health Conference, held on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The gathering brought together health ministers and senior officials from Arab nations to focus on enhancing regional health cooperation, improving healthcare delivery, boosting emergency response capabilities, and promoting equitable access to healthcare across Arab countries.

Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam stressed the value of regional cooperation, sharing health expertise, and providing coordinated support to strengthen healthcare systems across Arab member states. Discussions also underscored the importance of unified approaches to tackle public health issues, improve emergency preparedness, and foster sustainable healthcare advancement throughout the region.

Somalia has been actively participating in global health governance. The country currently serves as one of the 34 nations on the WHO Executive Board, a position that allows it to influence global health policy and decision-making processes. The delegation has leveraged this seat to advocate for enhanced support for vulnerable health systems, highlighting priorities such as combating disease outbreaks, improving maternal and child healthcare, strengthening emergency response mechanisms, and securing financial support for fragile states.

The Somali government has recently achieved significant progress in its health sector. The national immunization rate has officially reached 76 percent, attributed to direct political commitment from the highest levels of the federal government. The National Committee for Immunization and Polio Eradication, chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, has been established to coordinate polio eradication and immunization efforts across the country. The Ministry of Health has also launched nationwide rollout of pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines, critical interventions targeting two of the most common and deadly diseases affecting Somali children.

The Federal Government has formally integrated immunization programs into the national budget, increasing domestic funding allocation for essential health services and signaling a shift toward greater financial responsibility for the nation’s health needs. These achievements are part of a broader strategy to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve emergency preparedness, and build a resilient healthcare system capable of withstanding persistent humanitarian and climate-induced challenges.