Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)- In a collaborative effort to improve health service delivery for children, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Somalia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have launched the "Every Breath Counts" initiative.
This project aims to address pneumonia and diarrhoea, the leading health threats to children in Somalia, by equipping health facilities with essential resources, including solar power and oxygen supplies.
With a financial contribution of $2 million from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the initiative focused on the solarization of 26 health facilities across the country. Seventeen maternal and child health centers and nine referral hospitals have been outfitted with solar systems, ensuring a reliable, sustainable electricity supply to support critical healthcare services.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services facilitated the selection of these facilities, while a renewable energy company based in Mogadishu led the installation efforts.
The solar power systems provide stable electricity, allowing health centers to maintain uninterrupted oxygen supplies for patients requiring oxygen therapy, especially in emergency and pediatric care.
This shift is expected to significantly reduce deaths from pneumonia and alleviate the burden on hospitals, particularly in rural and remote areas where consistent power has been scarce.
"Only 28% of health facilities in Somalia have access to reliable electricity, and many primary health care units in rural areas struggle with irregular or no power at all," said a spokesperson for the initiative.
This lack of electricity often forces health workers to rely on kerosene lamps for surgeries and emergency procedures, severely impacting the quality of care, including deliveries, pediatric emergencies, and vaccine administration.
The initiative also includes a five-year after-sales service agreement, with regular maintenance scheduled twice a year. Health facility staff, including managers and operators, receive training to ensure the long-term functionality of the solar systems.
By providing stable power, the "Every Breath Counts" initiative aims to improve the delivery of essential health services, from maternal care to vaccination programs, and contribute to broader goals of universal health coverage in Somalia.
The project represents a crucial step in overcoming the challenges of unreliable electricity and enhancing the capacity of Somalia's healthcare system to serve its most vulnerable populations.