One year of Progress: Dr. Abdijalil Strengthens Somalia's Health System

Twelve months ago, Dr. Guled Abdijalil took the helm as Director General of the Ministry of Health for the Federal Republic of Somalia. Upon taking office, he pledged to serve the Somali community efficiently and effectively. 5 Magazine now examines his performance across various aspects of his leadership.

Governance and Coordination

Dr. Guled Abdijalil, Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Health, has been a driving force in strengthening healthcare governance and coordination. He coordinated the 5th intergovernmental meeting between the federal Ministry of Health and state health ministries in Galmadug state. This meeting aimed to solidify partnerships and collaboration between the federal government and member states. Their goal: to improve healthcare services, address shared challenges, and build a more efficient and effective healthcare system for Somalia.

Dr. Abdijalil’s efforts extend beyond intergovernmental collaboration. He also played a crucial role in launching a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Health, its donors, and other health sector partners. This agreement outlines aligned financial, technical, and physical support for a unified “one country led plan” with agreed milestones. This strategic partnership ensures coordinated efforts towards achieving healthcare goals.

In March 2024, Dr. Abdijalil further demonstrated his commitment to collaboration by spearheading the first Public-Private Dialogue (PPD-TWG) in Somalia’s health sector. This dialogue focused on encouraging collaboration between public and private entities to deliver accessible, equitable, and affordable healthcare services throughout the country.  This initiative contributes significantly to the overall goal of achieving universal health coverage in Somalia.

Dr. Abdijalil recognizes the importance of ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders involved in the healthcare sector. To address this, he also kicked off a two-day Health Sector Coordination meeting. This forum brought together key players to discuss critical issues and priorities facing Somalia’s healthcare system. By facilitating open communication among stakeholders, Dr. Abdijalil promotes collaborative solutions to improve health outcomes for all Somalis.

Achievements

Dr. Guled Abdijalil, Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Health, has a strong track record of achievements in improving healthcare access and infrastructure. Here are some key milestones under his leadership:

In August 2023, with the support of the Ministry’s UN partners, Dr. Guled oversaw the inauguration of a fully functional National Blood Bank. This marked a significant achievement, restoring this critical service after a three-decade hiatus. The Prime Minister himself recognized this milestone.

A month later, with the Prime Minister present, the Ministry of Health launched its funded “Damal Caafimaad” (Healthy Body) and COVID-19 projects. These initiatives aim to deliver essential healthcare packages and build critical infrastructure across six regions, significantly bolstering healthcare access in these areas.

In 2024, Dr. Abdijalil collaborated with the UK Ambassador to Somalia to launch the “BETTER LIVES” Health Project. This project focuses on providing basic healthcare services to nearly 1.5 million Somalis. It also aims to build sustainable healthcare systems in targeted districts, ensuring long-term improvements for communities.

These achievements demonstrate Dr. Abdijalil’s commitment to expanding healthcare access, strengthening infrastructure, and ultimately improving the health outcomes for Somalis nationwide.

Donor Engagement and Advocacy

Dr. Guled Abdijalil, Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Health, has been actively engaged with international donors and organizations to bolster the country’s healthcare system. In November 2023, he hosted technical discussions on polio eradication efforts and cold chain transition plans. He also concluded a successful five-day grant meeting with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the IRC team. This collaboration secured crucial funding to improve Somalia’s immunization program, vaccinate children in liberated areas who haven’t received any prior doses (zero-dose children), and strengthen overall health systems within the country. Dr. Abdijalil expressed his gratitude for their support in these vital areas.

Furthermore, in November 2023, Dr. Abdijalil held a candid discussion with the Global Fund portfolio manager and Middle East/North Africa region director. This meeting focused on Somalia’s Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) roadmap, securing Global Fund support for programs tackling malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, effective management of the GC7 grant, and establishing strong alignment and partnership principles. These collaborations aim to secure vital resources for combating these critical public health challenges in Somalia.

Dr. Abdijalil’s commitment extends beyond securing resources. In May 2024, he participated in the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The theme of this assembly, “All for Health, Health for All,” resonated deeply with Somalia’s healthcare goals. On the sidelines of the event, Dr. Abdijalil attended a Child Survival Action event with other African Health Ministers and development partners. This platform provided an opportunity to share an overview of Somalia’s Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) resolution presented before the Executive Board. Additionally, Dr. Abdijalil advocated for a strong call to action on MNCH issues, seeking international support for improving maternal and child health outcomes in Somalia.

These efforts highlight Dr. Abdijalil’s dedication to securing international support and fostering collaboration to address Somalia’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

Health policy and system building

Dr. Guled Abdijalil, Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Health, has been instrumental in driving policy and system-building initiatives to improve the country’s healthcare sector. He oversaw the successful validation workshop for the Somali National Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health Strategy (RMNCAH SP) 2023-2027, demonstrating Somalia’s dedication to enhancing these critical health areas.

Furthermore, Dr. Abdijalil played a key role in launching the Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR-DHIS2) in January 2024. This innovative system, developed with the support of the Ministry of Health and its partners, strengthens health systems by capturing accurate immunization coverage data and enabling efficient tracking and monitoring of vaccination efforts across Somalia.

These achievements highlight Dr. Abdijalil’s commitment to strengthening Somalia’s healthcare infrastructure and policies to improve health outcomes for mothers, children, and adolescents.