MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – The health ministers from Somalia’s regional states have accused the Federal Ministry of Health of mismanagement and obstructing crucial healthcare projects, leading to a significant setback in the country’s healthcare development.
In a formal letter addressed to the Presidents of the Member States and the Governor of Banaadir Region, the ministers outlined numerous challenges that have arisen due to the Federal Ministry’s failure to effectively implement national health initiatives.
According to the letter, multiple meetings, including one on March 3, 2024, were held to address these ongoing issues, but no concrete solutions have been reached.
The regional health ministers shared their frustrations, highlighting how the lack of cooperation and support from the federal level has disrupted key projects that were designed to enhance the country’s health services.
Corruption Scandal
Last month, another scandal came to light after funds intended for Damal Caafimaad, a World Bank-funded project aimed at improving healthcare services, were reportedly diverted through fraudulent means.
Documents revealed that an officer at the Federal Ministry of Health entered into an agreement to rent an “office” in Mogadishu for $72,000, despite the fact that ministry officials already operate from government offices. This incident raised further suspicions about widespread misuse of funds within the ministry.
Just last week, a group of parliamentarians accused Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji, of deep corruption and the misuse of foreign funds, including those provided by the World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF.
These funds, intended for healthcare improvements, are alleged to have been diverted for personal or unrelated uses, worsening the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
Cited Project Failures
The Federal Member States’ health ministers highlighted the following specific issues in their letter:
An official request was sent to international partners working with the regional health ministries to stop collaborating with regional states and cease operations in Banaadir (Mogadishu) and other regions. This move caused a loss of $25 million from the World Bank’s project funds.
The Damal Caafimaad Project, which was supposed to focus on the development of healthcare services in the Federal Government and Banaadir Region, was canceled with no tangible benefits gained.
The COVID-19 project, which was expected to run until October 2025 with a budget of $48 million, was prematurely terminated without consideration for extending its timeline.
The CCU hospital establishment project was also canceled, leaving employees without pay for over a year. This project was originally slated to continue until April 2025.
The Global Fund project, essential for federal health initiatives, has been suspended for nine months, halting critical healthcare services.
A technical meeting intended for managing health projects in the Banaadir region has been delayed for over a year, further hindering progress.
The CHASP project, which supported healthcare staff working for over seven years in the federal system, was terminated, leading to the dismissal of long-standing employees and affecting healthcare centers nationwide.
Cooperation between the Federal Government and regional states on essential health matters has ceased, aggravating an already strained healthcare system.
Direct medical aid that was previously provided by the Federal Government has been suspended, affecting services across the regions.
The Ministry of Health has failed to implement a new health delivery system that was meant to be operational in various regions and villages.
The GAVI children’s vaccination program in Somalia, which provided critical immunization services, has also been discontinued.
The letter was signed by the Ministers of Health from Jubaland, South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug, along with the Director of Health for the Banaadir Region, all of whom called for immediate action to address these pressing concerns and prevent further deterioration of the national healthcare system.
These accusations and the emerging corruption scandals have deepened the public’s mistrust of the Federal Ministry of Health. The regional ministers have urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to resolve the growing crisis before the healthcare system, already under strain, collapses further.