PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mogadishu, Somalia
Somalia Launches First National Civil Society Platform Dedicated to Viral Hepatitis
The Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis) has officially been launched as Somalia’s first non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to the prevention, research, awareness, and patient support for viral hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis—particularly Hepatitis B and C remains one of Somalia’s most urgent yet neglected public health challenges. Studies indicate that the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B infection exceeds 8%, placing Somalia among the high-burden countries globally. Without accelerated action, the country risks missing the 2030 global target of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat.
The Somali Hepatitis Trust was originally founded in 2022 as the Somali Hepatitis Initiative by Somali clinicians, researchers, and public health advocates under the Abrar University. In 2024, it was formalized and renamed the Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis) to reflect its expanded mandate, strengthened governance, and official registration as a national trust.
Vision and Mission
SHT envisions a hepatitis-free Somalia, where every individual has access to prevention, early detection, treatment, and care. Its mission includes:
- Prevention through vaccination and infection control
- Research supported by national hepatitis registries
- Awareness through culturally relevant public campaigns
- Patient Support through counseling, care navigation, and advocacy
Strategic Priorities
The Somali Hepatitis Trust will focus on:
- Advocating for the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine in Somalia
- Establishing the Somali Hepatitis Registry
- Scaling up national-level awareness and outreach campaigns
- Training health workers and strengthening laboratory systems
- Supporting patients and families with care, counseling, and follow-up services
Partnerships and Alignment
The Trust works in alignment with the Somalia National Hepatitis Program.
SHT also aligns with international frameworks, including:
- WHO Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis (2022–2030)
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which calls for ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030
To advance its mission, SomHepatitis will collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Somali hospitals and universities, as well as global partners such as WHO, Gavi, the Hepatitis B Foundation, and Africa CDC.
Quote
“The Somali Hepatitis Trust represents a historic step in Somalia’s fight against viral hepatitis. For the first time, our country has a civil society platform dedicated to prevention, research, and patient support,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Hassan-Kadle, Co-Founder. “With strong partnerships and community engagement, we can save lives and move toward a hepatitis-free Somalia.”
Contact Information
Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis)
Mogadishu, Somalia
Email: info@somhep.so
Website: www.somhep.so
