Press Release
Somalia Charts New Path with Launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan 2025–2030
Mogadishu, Somalia – July 2025
The Federal Republic of Somalia has taken a historic step toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, with the launch of its First National Consultative Meeting on the Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan (2025–2030), held at Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu.
Organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services (FMoH) in collaboration with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Somali Hepatitis Trust (SHT), the consultation brought together policymakers, health experts, civil society, academia, youth, and Federal Member State representatives to shape a unified roadmap toward hepatitis elimination.
The National Hepatitis Strategic Plan (2025–2030) is built upon the newly developed National Policy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C. It provides an integrated, equity-driven framework aligned with WHO’s 2030 global targets to reduce new infections by 90% and deaths by 65%.
“This is a defining moment in Somalia’s public health journey,” said Dr. Ali Haji Adam, Minister of Health and Human Services. “For the first time, Somalia has a unified, evidence-based framework that brings together government, civil society, and partners to end viral hepatitis by 2030.”
According to the 2025 Federal Ministry of Health DHIS2 data and the Somalia Hepatitis TAG Review, Hepatitis B (HBV) prevalence is estimated at 2.6–3.0% (≈509,000 cases), while Hepatitis C (HCV) stands at 0.3% (≈54,000 cases). High-risk populations face greater vulnerability — with HBV rates of 10.7% among female sex workers and 8.9% among people who inject drugs (PWID), according to the 2023 Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) survey.
The Somalia National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan (2025–2030) sets out five strategic objectives:
1. Governance & Leadership – Establish the National Hepatitis Technical Advisory Group (NHTAG) and integrate hepatitis programs into the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS).
2. Prevention – Introduce the hepatitis B birth dose, expand routine vaccination, and ensure universal blood screening and infection prevention.
3. Testing & Treatment – Integrate hepatitis testing in ANC, HIV, and TB programs, introduce Tenofovir and DAAs into essential medicines, and expand treatment across all regions.
4. Advocacy & Awareness – Launch Somali-language campaigns, train CHWs and religious leaders, and celebrate National Hepatitis Awareness Week annually.
5. Surveillance & Research – Strengthen data systems, conduct national seroprevalence surveys every five years, and establish a national monitoring and evaluation framework.
The Somali Hepatitis Trust (SHT) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the national hepatitis response, emphasizing patient-centered care, stigma reduction, and equitable access to treatment.
“This strategy is more than a document it is Somalia’s commitment to saving lives,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Hassan-Kadle, Founder of the Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis). “For the first time, Somalia has a plan that places prevention, care, and community engagement at its core.”
Contact:
Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis)
info@somhep.so | 🌐 www.somhep.so
