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MOGADISHU — The Federal Republic of Somalia participated in a high-level emergency ministerial meeting convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), bringing together health ministers from member states to discuss emerging public health challenges and reinforce regional cooperation against epidemic threats.
Somalia was represented at the virtual meeting by the Minister of Health and Human Services, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, alongside his counterparts from across the region as part of collective efforts to coordinate responses to cross-border health risks.
According to a press update published by the Ministry of Health and Human Services through its official platforms, discussions focused primarily on recent developments related to the Ebola outbreak and on measures required to strengthen preparedness and reduce the potential impact of the disease across the region.
Participants underscored the importance of collective action, information sharing, and technical cooperation among member states as essential components of an effective response to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
During the meeting, Somalia emphasized the need to deepen regional coordination mechanisms and expand technical collaboration in order to strengthen health systems and enhance the region’s ability to address epidemic threats.
The Somali delegation also stressed the importance of intensifying health surveillance at border points, strengthening early-warning systems, and improving emergency preparedness frameworks to ensure timely and coordinated responses to potential outbreaks.
The press update noted that Somalia continues to implement a range of national measures aimed at enhancing emergency response capacities, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving workforce readiness, and advancing public health preparedness.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services reaffirmed that these efforts are being carried out in close coordination with IGAD member states and international partners as part of a shared commitment to promoting regional health security and protecting communities across the Horn of Africa.
Ebola remains one of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases, requiring rapid action and coordinated cross-border responses because of its potential health and socioeconomic consequences. Somalia’s participation in the emergency meeting reflects a growing regional commitment to strengthening preparedness, prevention, and response mechanisms while building resilient health systems capable of addressing future public health challenges. The initiative also highlights the increasing recognition that health security is a shared regional responsibility requiring sustained cooperation and collective action.
