You are here

UNFPA Somalia donated one hard top land cruiser ambulance to Ministry of Health, Somaliland as part of its efforts to improve maternal health.
 
Salada Robleh, Officer-in-charge Hargeisa office, stated the UNFPA's commitment towards reducing maternal mortality. "UNFPA will continue working with the Ministry of Health towards achieving MDGs 4 and 5 and we hope that this donation of ambulances will go a long way in reducing the second delay to maternal health in the remote districts.

Dr. Hussein Muhumed Mohamed, the Ministry of Health welcomed the donation saying that many hospitals are facing transport challenges. He highlighted the criticality of transport in reducing maternal mortality. "The challenges in transporting pregnant women to district or central hospitals in emergency cases have contributed to high maternal deaths as well as fistula cases". He continued saying that “The percentage of deliveries attended by trained birth attendants are very low and because of this appalling state of maternal health services, obstetric fistula is common in Somaliland.”

In his speech Dr. Hussein narrated the work of UNFPA starting from the Community Midwife training and post basic midwife trainings, the procurement and distribution of Reproductive Health kits, the training of the doctors and he praised the partnership and long standing relationship between UNFPA and the Ministry, in particular towards addressing millennium development goals 4 and 5. "The partnership and consultative nature of the relationship ensures that UNFPA's support addresses the actual and critical needs within the Ministry", he said.

The Minister has concluded his speech saying that the Ministry of Health is expecting each year at least one ambulance from UNFPA in order to minimize the second delay to maternal health.