Mogadishu Primary Health Care & Nutrition Services

Project Summary

Since 2011, Yeryüzü Doktorlar (Doctors Worldwide Türkiye) has been carrying out various health activities in Somalia in regions where access to health services is limited. In this context, a health centre is operated in Mogadishu in 2018, where Primary Health and nutritional health programmes are carried out. Nutritional treatments, especially for children, aim to alleviate the effects of drought and food crisis. In Somalia, we continue to provide health services not only through clinic programmes but also through volunteer health teams projects.

In our Primary Health Programme, many health services such as childbirth, gynaecological examination before and after pregnancy, safe delivery services and basic laboratory tests were provided. In addition, information activities were carried out to inform mothers about child care, nutrition, health care, hygiene, breastfeeding and HIV virus.

Within the scope of nutritional health services, health screenings are carried out taking into account SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) and MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) categories. People who are examined are referred to nutritional health treatment in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations and necessary support is provided.

Achievements and Impact

During the four-month period covering August to November, essential health and nutrition services were delivered continuously under the Somalia Programme through the Mogadishu Primary Health Center and the Mogadishu Nutrition Health Center. The data from this period clearly demonstrate both the intensity of service provision and the profile of beneficiaries, reflecting the tangible impact of the programme at field level.

At the Mogadishu Primary Health Center, a total of 3,101 outpatient consultation sessions were conducted over the four-month period. The number of consultation sessions stood at 708 in August and increased significantly to 917 in September, followed by 754 sessions in October and 722 sessions in November. This trend indicates a noticeable rise in demand for primary health care services, particularly in September. In parallel, laboratory services were provided as an integral part of diagnosis and treatment processes, with a total of 1,630 laboratory test sessions delivered. Monthly figures show 381 sessions in August, peaking at 481 in September, and then continuing with 397 sessions in October and 371 sessions in November. These figures highlight the strong linkage between clinical consultations and diagnostic support services.

In addition, the provision of medicines and medical supplies constituted a critical component of the Primary Health Center’s activities. Over the reporting period, a total of 3,034 individuals received medicines and medical supplies. Beneficiary numbers increased from 705 individuals in August to 897 in September, before slightly declining to 740 in October and 692 in November. The consistently high number of beneficiaries demonstrates that access to treatment in the target area is largely dependent on the availability of medicines and essential medical commodities. Overall, during the August–November period, the Mogadishu Primary Health Center delivered a total of 4,731 service sessions and reached 3,034 individual beneficiaries.

At the Mogadishu Nutrition Health Center, nutrition consultation services accounted for a total of 1,037 sessions during the same four-month period. The number of sessions remained relatively stable across the months, with 272 sessions in August, 256 in September, 260 in October, and 249 in November. In addition to consultations, child-focused nutrition treatment services reached a total of 235 children. A marked increase was observed in November, when 88 children benefited from nutrition treatment, indicating a seasonal or situational rise in nutrition-related needs among children.

When considered at programme level, a total of 5,768 health and nutrition service sessions were delivered between August and November, reaching 3,269 direct beneficiaries. These results clearly indicate the ongoing need for primary health care and nutrition services in Mogadishu and underscore the critical role of the programme in addressing the health and nutrition needs of vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

 With 25 years of strong experience, we continue to provide uninterrupted service in the field of health. Starting in 2011 and continuing with our clinics in 2018, our desire to provide healthcare continues. In times of crisis and normal times, we want to continue to provide people with the highest standards of healthcare through our strong infrastructure.

• Global_Giving_Progress_Report_Mogadishu_Primary_Health_Care__Nutrition_Services.pdf (PDF)