The collapse of the government in January 1991 with the fall of Siad Barre led to further deterioration of Somalia's health situation and destruction of most hospitals and health centres, both in urban and rural areas. The high incidence of disease that persisted into the early 1990s reflected a difficult environment, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient medical care. The major maladies prevalent in Somalia included pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria, and infectious and parasitic diseases.
The Center has 10 rooms, 2 toalets and water containers with capacity of 200 litres. Itīs divided in two parts: general health services which we hope will work fully at the beginning of 2006; and TB laboratory and treatment which treated the whole population of Elgula and surroundings. The center has 4 assistents, one security officer, one cleaner and one person for general activities.
In early 1992, Somalia had a human immunovirus (HIV) incidence of less than 1 percent of its population. Recently, UNDP Somalia launched a Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs within Somali Populations 2003-2008 (UNDP Somalia, 2004). Adequate HIV/AIDS information is not available for Somali populations. Most Somalis have only a basic understanding of how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and prevented leading to misinformation, myths and misconceptions.
Our local partner, Somali Society Development Association(SOSDA) together with Daryeel Association has organised several HIV/AIDS seminars, workshops and discussion forums in Mogadishu and Galkayo through the media (tv, journals, posters, etc, see also the following photo participants).
In particular, the seminars and discussions was centered on the celebration of 1st December 2005 which the World Aids Day, Peace Hotel, Mogadishu.
The participants of the seminars come from the central and local government, UN organisations (WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO), local NGOs and Somali professionals. The first speaker was the head of SOSDA in Mogadishu, Mr M. S. Abdirahman who emphasized the risk of this disease and its social effects (economic, behavioral and cultural) and how
From right to : Prof Toxow Head of UNESCO In Mugadisho,: Oman Dufle Vice-Health Minister: Mr Abkow, head of SOSDA in Mogadishu; Mr Mohamed Haji Eeg SOSDA Chairman.
Daryeel Association and SOSDA will continue to create awareness and capacity building.the next speaker was M. H. Ereg, director ofall Daryeel education centers in Southern Mudug which talked the importance to give full information to young generations in the schools the danger of this epidemic. Mr Ereg linked the education activities and HIV/AIDS risks which is related with ignorance and stigma. Another key speaker of these seminars was dr Osman H. Dufle, Vice-Health Minister who deeply explained the statistics of this global disease. He said circa 40.3 million are affected and only 2005 circa 5 million has been affected and 3 million has died (see nex photo, dr Dufle is the person with microphone).