WHO concerned about increased number of suspected cholera cases in Kismayo, South Central Somalia
13 July 2012 ¦ Nairobi – The World Health Organization (WHO) is very much concerned about the increased number of cholera cases, particularly in Kismayo town. One health facility did a rapid test among a sample of ten patients, and a total of 6
cases tested positive for cholera. Out of the 65 patients treated so far in the same health facility, 40 suffered severe dehydration and needed immediate hospitalization. The majority of the cases are children under the age of 8.
WHO opens much needed field hospital at the Somali-Ethiopian border
27 September 2011 --A new field hospital, operated and managed by the World Health Organization, was established last week in Dolow Somalia, near the Ethiopian border. This hospital provides medical aid to thousands of Somali refugees fleeing towards the border areas. In the first week more than 400 patients were treated – an average of 75 patients per day - and more than 30 surgical operations were successfully performed by a WHO medical team. The hospital brings enormous relief for the population by providing health services while lessening the burden on existing, overstretched health facilities.
Waterborne diseases pose lethal threat to children in southern Somalia
18 August 2011 ¦ Nairobi, Kenya – With an increased number of confirmed cholera cases in
Mogadishu, and growing reports of acute watery diarrhea in Kismayo and other crowded urban
centers, an urgent multi sector response to contain the spread of this highly contagious disease is
being mounted.
31 May 2011 ¦ Nairobi – The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the steep rise in the numbers of children under five years old who have been wounded in Somalia's latest outbreak of violence. The number of patients treated for weapon-related injuries at Mogadishu's three main hospitals reached a new peak in May 2011. Almost half the 1590 injuries reported were in children under five, compared to only 3.5% in April. "Many of these children are suffering from very severe wounds, burns and other injuries from bullets, blast injuries and shrapnel” says Marthe Everard, WHO’s representative for Somalia.
National Immunization Days keep Somalia polio-free
20 March 2011 | Nairobi, Kenya-–On the eve of celebrating four years without polio in Somalia, the country kicks off National Immunization Days on Sunday 20 March, with a focus on ensuring that no eligible child is left unvaccinated during the three days of the campaign. During 2011, two rounds of polio vaccinations are planned.
December 2010 ¦ Hihglights--Up to 2 million people in Somalia, 1.46 million of whom are displaced, are in need of humanitarian assistance. South Central Somalia is the area most affected by conflict and the resultant displacements of population, disruptions of services and restrictions on movement. Combined with the absence of safe drinking water and sanitation and the low level of immunization coverage, these factors represent major threats to health.
12 October 2010 ¦ Nairobi - Children of Mogadishu are suffering from the Somali capital's recent increased violence, accounting for one-fifth of all weapons-related casualties. The high number of young casualties, coupled with a limited number of skilled surgeons and continuing demands for routine surgical care, requires an urgent upgrade of health facilities in the city.
28 September 2009 -- Almost 3.6 million people in Somalia need emergency assistance, including 1.5 million displaced by violence. This photo essay highlights the humanitarian health challenges facing Somalis and the efforts by health providers to try meet their needs.
8 December 2006 | Nairobi/Geneva - The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to be deeply concerned by the health situation of people living in the flood affected areas in the Horn of Africa. Since October, unusually heavy rains have caused major flooding in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The flooding is expected to continue, putting people's health at major risk. A combination of displacement, living in crowding conditions, lack of clean, safe water and the destruction of sanitation systems, is putting between 1.5 to 1.8 million people at risk of infectious diseases, such as cholera, measles, malaria as well as nutrition deficiencies.
Drought worsens health crisis in Somalia
31 March 2006 | Nairobi--Over 2 million Somali people are currently struggling with their lives due to unprecedented food and water shortages following a prolonged series of drought in war-stricken Somalia. And the situation is expected to deteriorate if the next rains are below normal.
