As the SAHA Country Director and MoHD Focal Point, Dr. Abdihakim Mohamed provides a comprehensive update on the expansion and success of Non-Communicable Disease clinics across the nation.
BORAMA, Somaliland – On the final day of the SAHA 6th Annual CME Convention, the focus turned toward the practical application of healthcare policy. Dr. Abdihakim Mohamed, who serves as both the SAHA Country Director and the Ministry of Health Development (MoHD) NCD Focal Point, presented a much-anticipated “Progress Report on Somaliland NCD Clinics.”
His presentation offered a detailed look at how Somaliland is building a sustainable system to fight chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Expanding the Reach of NCD Care
Dr. Mohamed began by outlining the significant growth in specialized clinics over the past year. He reported that the Ministry of Health, in partnership with SAHA, has successfully integrated NCD services into several primary health centers across the country.
“Our goal is to ensure that a patient doesn’t have to travel to a major city just to get their blood sugar checked or their blood pressure managed,” Dr. Mohamed stated. He highlighted that the expansion has brought life-saving care closer to rural and underserved populations, marking a major milestone for the national health strategy.
Standardizing Treatment and Staff Training
A key highlight of the report was the standardization of care. As the MoHD NCD Focal Point, Dr. Mohamed has led the effort to create uniform treatment protocols. This ensures that every patient, regardless of which clinic they visit, receives the same high-quality, evidence-based care.
Moreover, the report detailed the success of recent training programs. Hundreds of local nurses and health workers have been trained to:
- Perform early screenings for chronic conditions.
- Manage long-term medication schedules.
- Provide essential nutritional counseling to patients.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
Dr. Mohamed’s dual role allows him to bridge the gap between international medical standards and local government policy. He explained that the progress seen in the clinics is a direct result of strong collaboration between the Ministry of Health and organizations like SAHA.
However, he noted that challenges remain. “While we have made great strides in opening clinics, we must now focus on the consistent supply of essential medicines and the improvement of our data collection systems,” he added. He emphasized that better data will help the government allocate resources more effectively in the future.
A Call for Continued Support
In his closing remarks, Dr. Mohamed called on stakeholders and international partners to continue their support. He argued that investing in NCD clinics today will prevent a massive healthcare crisis tomorrow. By identifying and treating these “silent killers” early, Somaliland can significantly reduce the burden on its hospital systems.
Event Summary
Key Speaker: Dr. Abdihakim Mohamed (MD, SAHA Country Director & MoHD NCD Focal Point)
Topic: Progress Report on Somaliland NCDs Clinics
Venue: Safari Hotel, Borama
Organizers:
- Amoud University – College of Health Sciences
- Center for Community Services
- Office of Protocol and University Events
