Launch of the Essential Package of Health Services, Mogadishu
The British Ambassador to Somalia, Neil Wigan, attended the launch of the Essential Package of Health Services in Mogadishu. The Essential Package of Health Services is a health sector frame work, designed in 2008 by the Ministry of Health to set standards for health services for government, UN and NGO agencies and private health providers in Somalia.
Speaking on behalf of donors at the launch in Mogadishu, Ambassador Wigan said:
“This marks the successful completion of the selection and contracting of the partners who will deliver these essential services in a number of regions in South Central. With the New Deal in Somalia now in place, donors are committed to its principles, in particular, the leadership role of Government. The Health Sector has been recognised as a model sector for government leadership, priority setting and improved aid coordination. As donors to the Health Sector, we support the New Deal partnership principles and the launch of the Essential Package of Services is an example of the success of such a partnership. What is critical is that funding translates into positive health improvements for Somali women and children”.
UK aid is the lead partner in the Joint Health and Nutrition Programme. Through implementation support from UNICEF, the delivery of services will focus on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.
The UK’s support to the Health Sector is fully aligned with the Somali Health Sector Strategic Plans which were launched in March 2013.
Notes to Editors:
- UK aid support to the health pillar is £69.6m running from 2010 to 2015 and is channelled through two programmes:
• Joint Health and Nutrition Programme via UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, with a funding of £31.4m running from 2011 to 2015.
• Health Consortium Somalia via 5 NGOs which supports wider human resource development and ways of working through the private sector. Between July 2010 and 2013 the total support from UK aid was £13m and a further £25m has been allocated to run up to June 2015.
The Essential Package of Health Services framework was designed in 2008 to provide a common framework and minimum standard for the delivery of health services in Somalia.