Somalia recently celebrated the opening of its first-ever solar-powered maternal and neonatal health centre. The health centre, a recent addition to Garowe Hospital, provides life-saving emergency obstetric care to almost 30 women each day.This environmentally friendly endeavor cosponsored by UNFPA and UNDP offers a practical solution to Somalia's exorbitantly high-energy costs and unpredictable power supply. Since its installation, the solar power system has helped to significantly reduce Garowe Hospital's average monthly electricity bill from $6,000 to $30.

The President of Puntland State of Somalia awarded UNFPA Somalia with a certificate of appreciation for their dedication and continuous support in helping mothers and children in Puntland.

The new maternal and neonatal centre is the fruit of a joint UN initiative of UNFPA's Reproductive Health and UNDP's Poverty Reduction and Environmental Protection programme areas. This initiative underscores the cost-effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration. It also stresses the importance of pooling resources to meet the multifaceted needs of human development. This is even more important in a fragile context such as Somalia where the needs are enormous.

The idea of a maternal and neonatal centre at Garowe General Hospital was spearheaded by UNFPA with an initial contribution of $100,500 and secured modern medical equipment and highly qualified reproductive health personnel. UNDP contributed two solar power system costing $600,000 for Grower and Galkayo General Hospitals which provide lifesaving emergency obstetric care thanks to UNFPA support. "The entire team of UNFPA, UNDP and Government should take pride in the success of this innovative project" said Mr. Abdul Qadir Rafiq, UNDP Programme Manager.

Head of UNFPA Puntland sub-office, Dr. Bakhtior Kadirov noted that UNFPA-UNDP joint endeavor ensured local ownership and participation since the community in Garowe alloted land and volunteer work.

The President of Puntland State of Somalia, Professor Abdiwali Mohammed Ali Gaas, described the new maternal and neonatal health centre as an investment in both the health of women and children and Somalia's national development.

The opening of the maternal and neonatal centre coincided with the launching of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA).

"It could be recalled that UNFPA had supported the expansion of 11 midwifery schools throughout Somalia, five of which are located in Puntland," said Mr. Cheikh Tidiane Cisse, UNFPA Representative, during the inauguration. Sixty more midwifery students have recently graduated from the colleges. Approximately 80 skilled and qualified midwives graduate every two years. Supervisory and outreach teams visit health facilities and urban and rural communities to ease access to quality of maternal health care, supplies and services, including information, education and communication campaigns.

For more information, please contact:
UNFPA Communication Specialist, Ms. Pilirani Semu-Banda
+254 734500439
semu-banda@unfpa.org