Health
Public health in Somalia has been impacted directly (civil unrest and violence) and indirectly (diseases and/or malnutrition) from both man-made and natural disasters, most acutely since the collapse of the central Somali government in 1990. Most susceptible to the constant threat of concurrent droughts, food insecurity and civil unrest have been the most vulnerable in society, namely women, children, old people and people living in poverty.
Malnutrition in Somalia is at a crisis level, and it has been projected by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) that over 900,000 children were faced with acute malnourishment in 2019, a quarter of them likely to be severely affected.
For over two and half decades, Zamzam Foundation has worked to improve the health of vulnerable populations in Somalia through the establishment of local health facilities, providing sustainable health services, increasing access to basic health amongst the poor and saving lives through provision of emergency medical services. Zamzam Foundation was instrumental in the establishment of Arafat Hospital, one of Somalia’s largest health institutions.
For over two and half decades, Zamzam Foundation has worked to improve the health of vulnerable populations in Somalia through the establishment of local health facilities, providing sustainable health services, increasing access to basic health amongst the poor and
saving lives through provision of emergency medical services.
Zamzam Foundation was instrumental in the establishment of Arafat Hospital, one of Somalia’s largest health institutions.
Zamzam Foundation has also placed urgent emphasis on the importance of maternal healthcare and has included a major Obstetrics and Gynecology unit within Arafat Hospital. Integrated Maternal and Child Health Care and Nutrition Services Provision facilities set up by Zamzam in various communities across Somalia continue to act as primary points of assistance for women with children in the hopes of reducing the mortality rate for mothers and children under five years of age.
Static health facilities supported throughout Somalia
Primary health care
one hospital
TB Treatment Centres
Tuberculosis treatment is another main focus of Zamzam Foundation’s work. TB is a major killer in Somalia, claiming numerous lives each year. Zamzam has been able to offset some of these fatalities by setting up more than 12 testing, treatment and referral centers in the country.
Health, well-being and social development is closely tied to access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. In the case of Somalia, erratic
rainfall, protracted conflict and lack of adequate water sources have created barriers to access.
IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS, ZAMZAM FOUNDATION WILL IMPROVE ON THE FOLLOWING AREA:
- Expansion of the program into different regions in Somalia.
- Improve the gap in funding/sustainability investment in health infrastructure such as building and equipment.
- Recruitment of staff such as nurses improvement on organizational capacity such as sanitation and hygiene programs.
- Improve emergency responses to health issues and the organizational response to these emergencies.
- Improve information management of health sector.