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, has convened the First National Consultative Meeting to develop Somalia’s inaugural National Viral Hepatitis Policy—a historic step toward eliminating hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.
This landmark consultation brought together senior policymakers, public health experts, researchers, implementing partners, and civil society representatives. The meeting represents a major milestone in Somalia’s health sector, laying the foundation for a comprehensive national policy and strategic plan aligned with the WHO Global Health Sector Strategy and Somalia’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Ministry officials opened the meeting by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening political leadership, expanding equitable access to prevention and treatment services, and ensuring data-driven decision-making. Hepatitis B and C remain significant public health concerns in Somalia, with estimates indicating 900,000 people living with hepatitis B and 120,000 with hepatitis C.
Representatives from the Somali Hepatitis Trust emphasized the importance of this moment:
“This consultative process is a turning point for Somalia’s health sector. 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.”
Policy Pillars Discussed
Participants reviewed and refined the four strategic pillars of the draft policy framework:
- Leadership, Governance, and Advocacy: Establishing a National Hepatitis Steering and Coordination Committee to guide policy oversight and implementation.
- Prevention: Introducing the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine, ensuring 100% blood safety, and strengthening infection prevention and safe injection practices.
- Testing and Treatment: Expanding access to diagnosis and treatment—especially within primary healthcare settings and remote areas—to reach underserved populations.
- Surveillance and Research: Enhancing national data systems, monitoring progress, and generating evidence to inform planning and resource allocation.
A key component highlighted during the meeting was Somalia’s plan to apply for Gavi support to introduce the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine—an essential intervention to prevent mother-to-child transmission and reduce early childhood infections.
Strengthening Partnerships and Community Engagement
The consultation underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration across government institutions, the private sector, academia, development partners, 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 service uptake.
Next Steps
Outcomes from this consultative meeting will guide the drafting of Somalia’s first National Viral Hepatitis Policy and Strategic Plan (2025–2030). This framework will define governance structures, resource mobilization pathways, and monitoring mechanisms to achieve WHO’s global hepatitis elimination targets by 2030, including:
- 90% reduction in new hepatitis infections
- 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths
- 100% safety in blood and injection practices
About the Somali Hepatitis Trust
The Somali Hepatitis Trust (SomHepatitis), an initiative under the Horn Afrik Institute for Health Studies, is a national non-profit organization 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 hepatitis response through advocacy, research, and community engagement.
Email: info@somhep.so
Website: www.somhep.so
