COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN SOMALILAND EXPOSES A BROKEN HEALTH SYSTEM
By Khadar Mariano
Hargeisa ( PPM) — Somaliland, like many other countries in the world, was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. As of May 28, the Ministry of Health Development has confirmed a total of 257 persons have tested positive for COVID-19, with 17 deaths. The actual number of affected could be much higher given that there are people who have recovered without seeking medical attention.
The Somali Government has decided against imposing a complete lockdown due to economic considerations. The decision by Somaliland Government to lift the temporary of Khat trade four days before the ban was to end is being called into question. as it deemed the decision impossible both economically and socially. Khat trade is now brisk particularly Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, a major city with the largest number of people who have fallen ill as a result of Covid-19.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Somaliland major controversies have been making rounds on Social Media. Some people have taken on Social Media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to share stories about the state of the country’s health system. Many shared stories about their loved ones who have passed away due to lack of oxygen. Others have reported the blatant disregard and carelessness on the part of some health administrators to human life. Citizens have been forced COVID-19 protection suits when carrying out burial procedures for their family members who succumbed to Covid-19.
The crisis in the Somaliland health system came to the fore in January, when a father whose son died due to lack of oxygen in Hargeisa General Hospital, had written about the poor health service delivery. His account, shared on Facebook, generated heated discussions. incident on Facebook. A public outcry has quickly followed, and the media has put the question to the President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi.
President Bihi promised to improve health service delivery and order oxygen concentrators for all national hospitals. This promise seems unfulfilled, as Covid-19 patients still die of lack of oxygen.
The glimmer of hope about the ability of Somaliland to cope with the health emergency comes from donors who reached into their deep pockets to contribute US$ six million to the National COVID-19 Fund. A major review of Somaliland health service delivery is long overdue. The extent to which the budget for health care covers health needs of citizens has yet to be shared with the public. Covid-19 is a wake-up call for the Somaliland Government. The impact of unequal health service delivery coupled with a high number of privately-owned hospitals can no longer be brushed aside.
© Puntland Post Monthly, 2020
https://puntlandpost.net/2020/06/07/covid-19-outbreak-in-somaliland-exposes-a-broken-health-system/
By Khadar Mariano
Hargeisa ( PPM) — Somaliland, like many other countries in the world, was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. As of May 28, the Ministry of Health Development has confirmed a total of 257 persons have tested positive for COVID-19, with 17 deaths. The actual number of affected could be much higher given that there are people who have recovered without seeking medical attention.
The Somali Government has decided against imposing a complete lockdown due to economic considerations. The decision by Somaliland Government to lift the temporary of Khat trade four days before the ban was to end is being called into question. as it deemed the decision impossible both economically and socially. Khat trade is now brisk particularly Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, a major city with the largest number of people who have fallen ill as a result of Covid-19.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Somaliland major controversies have been making rounds on Social Media. Some people have taken on Social Media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to share stories about the state of the country’s health system. Many shared stories about their loved ones who have passed away due to lack of oxygen. Others have reported the blatant disregard and carelessness on the part of some health administrators to human life. Citizens have been forced COVID-19 protection suits when carrying out burial procedures for their family members who succumbed to Covid-19.
The crisis in the Somaliland health system came to the fore in January, when a father whose son died due to lack of oxygen in Hargeisa General Hospital, had written about the poor health service delivery. His account, shared on Facebook, generated heated discussions. incident on Facebook. A public outcry has quickly followed, and the media has put the question to the President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi.
President Bihi promised to improve health service delivery and order oxygen concentrators for all national hospitals. This promise seems unfulfilled, as Covid-19 patients still die of lack of oxygen.
The glimmer of hope about the ability of Somaliland to cope with the health emergency comes from donors who reached into their deep pockets to contribute US$ six million to the National COVID-19 Fund. A major review of Somaliland health service delivery is long overdue. The extent to which the budget for health care covers health needs of citizens has yet to be shared with the public. Covid-19 is a wake-up call for the Somaliland Government. The impact of unequal health service delivery coupled with a high number of privately-owned hospitals can no longer be brushed aside.
© Puntland Post Monthly, 2020
https://puntlandpost.net/2020/06/07/covid-19-outbreak-in-somaliland-exposes-a-broken-health-system/
