Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The 5th intergovernmental coordination meeting between the Ministry of Health of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Ministries of Federal Member States concluded in Dhusamareb on Wednesday.

The meeting aimed to strengthen partnerships and collaboration between the Federal Government and Member States to improve healthcare services, address common challenges, and promote a more efficient and effective healthcare system in Somalia.

“We have convened this meeting to foster health partnerships between the federal health ministry and the ministries of health of the member states. This is meant to create unified efforts towards healthcare delivery to enhance the well-being of our people,” said Hon. Ahmed Abdi Kariye, President of Galmudug.

Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health reiterated its commitment to working with the state administrations towards promotion of healthcare system and investments.

“Health Sector Alignment agenda is a top priority at the 5th INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION MEETING between Federal Member States Health Ministries & Federal Ministry of Health-Somalia,” the statement from the Federal Health Ministry read.

“Somalia’s Ministry of Health is committed for executing comprehensive and participative alignment initiatives to steer tangible impacts on health outcomes. This will improve the country’s ownership by enhancing the system responsiveness, efficiency and sustainable health investments,” the statement added.

This two-days meeting was attended by ministers and directors of health from both the federal government and federal member states, and representatives from Somalia’s International Partners, including World Bank, GAVI, the Global Fund and Foreign Commonwealth Development Office.

It follows four previous intergovernmental coordination meetings between the Ministries of Health at both levels, which have opened access for successful health partnerships.

Federal member states have largely relied on the federal government of Somalia for financing healthcare services, including medical supplies, and for the improvement and upgrading of hospitals.

The federal government and the state administrations have collaborated on health projects and are seeking financial donations through joint efforts.