The Ministry of Health Development of the Republic of Somaliland, in partnership with Save the Children and UNICEF, organized the Somaliland National Health Financing Conference. It is a key national platform to accelerate health financing and create sustainable solutions to improve health services in the country.
The conference aims to bring together all health stakeholders from the government, parliament, donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, the diaspora and the media to create a national consensus to strengthen health financing and ensure that essential health services reach everyone in Somaliland.
The conference focuses on securing new financing, reducing dependence on external aid, and building a sustainable system that promotes maternal and newborn health, immunization, nutrition and emergency basic services. It also promotes accountability, access to accurate data (HMIS), and the integration of health development efforts across the country.
Expected outcomes of this conference include: A clear assessment of the urgent need for health financing, especially in times of declining international funding; Somaliland taking a concerted action to increase the government’s health budget; Establishing a national health insurance system that can be fully funded by the entire community; Creating new investment opportunities, including through business partnerships and development financing;
Securing critical health services for the community, such as maternal and newborn care, immunization, and nutrition; Unifying national health development efforts to overcome planning and implementation gaps; Strengthening accountability and data quality (HMIS) to make informed decisions.
The conference was attended by,
Government Ministers, Central and Regional Government Agencies, Donors & Embassies, International Development Partners, UN Agencies: UNICEF, WHO and others, International Agencies: Those working in health, nutrition and community development, CSOs and Universities,
Civil Society Organizations and Higher Education Institutions with a prominent role in health, Private Sector, Companies working in health and development financing,
Diaspora & Community Leaders, Those who play a role in supporting social services, National and Independent Media.
The first day of the conference ended successfully and in a peaceful atmosphere, with the forum discussing various discussions on how to develop the country’s health services in a sustainable, efficient and integrated manner.
