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Health coverage reaches 58 percent in Somali state |
| jijiga, April 30, 2006 () - Jijjiga, April 30 (WIC)-The health coverage of Somali state has reached 58 percent, according to the regional Health Bureau. Plan and Program Service Head with the bureau, Abdurahman Mohammed, told WIC that the growth is attributable to the attention given by the government to increase the number of health institutions and train health workers. Accordingly, the number of health institutions which was limited only to eight hospitals and health centers has grown to 370, including six hospitals and 16 health centers. The number of health professionals has also grown by fourfold, even if it doesn't meet the need of the new institutions, the Head stated. He further explained that 58 percent of the population can now access health in their vicinity and added that in the coming five years the bureau will give due attention to improve the manpower, material and pharmaceutical supply of health institutions. According to Abdurahman, a five-year strategy has also been prepared to minimize the turnover of health professionals and mitigate the problem of supply of basic drugs. (END) ZW |
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