• According to Candlelight Statistics, there are only 61 doctors and 222 nurses in the country, allowing one doctor per 20,278 people and one nurse per 5,600 people
By: Mahmoud H. Qodah
Hargeisa (Somalilandsun) – Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo attended a commemoration ceremony made for Somaliland’s National Health Professional Day, where he awarded 624 members of health professionals who are recognized to have fully completed all the required qualifications and merits on medical health.
This ceremony which has been organized by Somaliland Health Professional Association (NHPA) by making close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and health partners was held in Mansoor Hotel, Hargeisa, and has been attended by many dignitaries including President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, Minister for Health Saleben Esse Haglo-tosiye and the Head of National Health Professional Association and hundreds of country’s recognized health professionals.
In the opening remarks, both the Minister for Health and the Chairman of this association has given a brief information and concept concerning the main objective of this day as well as the general condition of health system of this country.
President in his speech pledged that he will respect and give more priority to any suggestions and recommendations made by this committee, and such will prioritize and place in order to anything necessary for the improvement of this country’s health standard in order to try our best to help improve community’s health care services.
President Silanyo emphasized his government’s commitments regarding health improvements and as such, established this institution in order avoid the potential health risks and the consequences of the unskilled and unprofessional health practitioners on both human and livestock’s health in the country.
Though SNHPA recognized existence of 624 health professionals in Somaliland, but according to a report issued by Candlelight, an organization which works on health issues, provided statistics which clearly told a number which is too far from that of Health Association and tell that there are only 61 doctors and 222 nurses in the country, allowing one doctor per 20,278 people and one nurse per 5,600 people
Warning on unskilled health practitioners
A week ago, the Chairman of the National Health Professional Association during a ceremony made f capacity building training for improving child and maternity health care services for fresh medical graduates, confirmed the existence of unskilled health practitioners and warned the possible health risks and the consequences of the unskilled and unprofessional health practitioners on the human health of this country.
The Chairman of National Health Professional Association noted that there are unprofessional and unskilled medical health doctors who prescribe unknown drugs to the community and that this creates confusion to the community and patients, as such drugs are also risk for the human health; and he call health professionals to unite for this and to have consultative meetings on this issue.
By: Mahmoud H. Qodah
mahqodax@gmail.com
