Press Release
Somalia Launches National Consultative Meeting to Develop the Country’s First Viral Hepatitis Policy
Mogadishu, Somalia – 25 July 2024
The Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, through the National Hepatitis Control Program, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Somali Hepatitis Trust, convened the First National Consultative Meeting on the development of the National Viral Hepatitis Policy a historic step toward eliminating hepatitis B and C as public health threats in Somalia by 2030.
The consultation marked a major milestone in Somalia’s public health history, bringing together policymakers, health experts, researchers, implementing partners, and civil society organizations. The meeting aimed to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive national policy and strategic framework that aligns with WHO’s 2030 elimination targets and Somalia’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Opening the event, Ministry officials reaffirmed Somalia’s dedication to combating viral hepatitis through strengthened leadership, equitable access to prevention and treatment services, and evidence-based policymaking. Participants underscored that hepatitis B and C remain major public health challenges, with an estimated 900,000 Somalis living with hepatitis B and 120,000 with hepatitis C.
“This consultative process is a turning point for Somalia’s health sector,” said representatives from the Somali Hepatitis Trust. “For the first time, we are shaping a national framework that ensures affordable, equitable, and quality hepatitis services for every Somali, free from stigma and financial hardship.”
The consultation focused on the four strategic pillars outlined in the draft policy framework:
- Strengthening leadership, governance, and advocacy through the creation of a National Hepatitis Steering and Coordination Committee.
- Expanding prevention measures, including the introduction of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, ensuring 100% blood safety, and promoting safe injection and infection prevention practices.
- Improving access to testing and treatment services, particularly in primary healthcare and rural areas, to reach underserved populations.
- Enhancing surveillance, monitoring, and research to generate national data, guide decision-making, and track progress toward elimination targets.
The consultation also emphasized Somalia’s plan to apply for Gavi support to introduce the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine a key intervention for preventing mother-to-child transmission and reducing early-life infections.
Participants highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration among government institutions, the private health sector, academia, and community organizations. The Somali Hepatitis Trust reaffirmed its role as a technical and advocacy partner, supporting public education, awareness campaigns, and community mobilization to reduce stigma and improve prevention and treatment uptake.
Insights from the consultative meeting will inform the drafting of Somalia’s first National Viral Hepatitis Policy and Strategic Plan (2025–2030). This policy will provide a roadmap for actionoutlining governance mechanisms, resource mobilization, and monitoring frameworks to measure progress toward WHO’s global targets: 90% reduction in new infections, 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths, and 100% safety in blood and injection practices.
About the Somali Hepatitis Trust
The Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis) is a national non-profit initiative dedicated to the prevention, awareness, and management of viral hepatitis. SomHepatitis works closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, civil society, and international partners to advance Somalia’s national response to hepatitis through advocacy, research, and community engagement.
Email: info@somhep.so
Website: www.somhep.so
