Somalia's Health Minister Accused of Corruption and Mismanagement Causing Failure of Health Systems

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 08 September 2024 00:16

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Somalia's Health Minister Accused of Corruption and Mismanagement Causing Failure of Health Systems

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) - Health ministers from Somalia's regional states have leveled serious accusations against the Federal Ministry of Health, alleging gross mismanagement and obstruction of key healthcare projects.

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Just last week, a group of parliamentarians accused Health Minister Ali Haji (PICTURED) of deep corruption and the misuse of foreign funds.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) - Health ministers from Somalia's regional states have leveled serious accusations against the Federal Ministry of Health, alleging gross mismanagement and obstruction of key healthcare projects.

This, they argue, has caused a significant setback to the development of the nation’s healthcare system. In a formal letter addressed to the Presidents of the Member States and the Governor of Banaadir Region, the ministers detailed numerous issues stemming from the federal ministry’s failure to effectively implement national health programs.

According to the letter, several meetings—including one held on March 3, 2024—were convened to address these challenges. Despite these efforts, no concrete solutions have been achieved. The regional ministers expressed deep frustration over the lack of support and cooperation from the federal authorities, which has disrupted critical healthcare projects designed to improve services across the country.

Mounting Corruption Scandal

Adding to these grievances, last month another scandal emerged involving the misappropriation of funds intended for Damal Caafimaad, a World Bank-funded project aimed at improving healthcare services. Documents revealed that an official from the Federal Ministry of Health entered into a suspicious agreement to rent an office in Mogadishu for $72,000—despite the fact that ministry officials already operate from government offices. This incident has fueled suspicions of widespread misuse of funds within the ministry.

Just last week, a group of Somali parliamentarians accused Health Minister Ali Haji of extensive corruption, claiming that he has misused foreign funds provided by the World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF. These funds, meant to bolster the country’s fragile healthcare system, were allegedly diverted for personal or unrelated purposes, further exacerbating the already dire situation in Somalia’s healthcare sector.

Project Failures Highlighted

In their letter, the health ministers outlined specific failures and setbacks caused by the Federal Ministry’s mismanagement:

- An official directive was issued to halt collaboration with agencies working with regional health ministries, causing a $25 million loss from the World Bank project.

- The Damal Health Project, which was intended to develop healthcare services in the Federal Government and Banaadir Region, was canceled without producing any benefits.

- The COVID-19 project, budgeted at $48 million and scheduled to run until October 2025, was prematurely terminated, with no extension granted.

- The CCU hospital establishment project was also canceled, with employees going unpaid for over a year. The project was initially expected to continue until April 2025.

- The Global Fund project, a crucial part of the federal health initiatives, has been suspended for nine months, halting vital healthcare services.

- A key technical meeting intended to manage health projects in the Banaadir region has been delayed for more than a year, the ministers accused of Dr. Ali Haji.

- The CHASP project, which supported healthcare staff who had been working for over seven years in the federal system, was terminated, leading to the dismissal of long-serving employees and negatively impacting healthcare centers nationwide.

- Cooperation between the Federal Government and regional states on essential healthcare issues has ceased, aggravating the already strained healthcare system.

- Direct medical aid from the Federal Government has been suspended, disrupting services across the regions.

- The Ministry of Health has failed to implement a new healthcare delivery system that was supposed to be rolled out in various regions and villages.

- The GAVI children’s vaccination program, a critical immunization initiative, has also been discontinued.

The Federal Member States' Call

The letter was signed by the health ministers of Jubaland, South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug, along with the Director of Health for the Banaadir Region. Together, they called for urgent action to address these critical issues and prevent further deterioration of Somalia’s healthcare system.

These accusations, combined with the growing corruption scandals, have deepened public distrust in the Federal Ministry of Health. The regional health ministers are urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to resolve the crisis before the country’s healthcare system—already struggling—collapses entirely.

The Federal Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji, is yet to comment on the accusations which have already been tabled at the Parliament.