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Photo Albums
TB Effects of diarrhoea
rebuilding Mogadishu TB clinic (2006) (PDF file) Mogadishu TB clinic in disrepair (2005)
Health Programming
SAACID's health programming began in 1992, as a response to the now infamous famine that threatened the lives of more than 2 million Somalis.
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SAACID's health programming began in 1992, as a response to the now infamous famine that threatened the lives of more than 2 million Somalis. Initially, SAACID worked with the Red Cross (ICRC) operating 75 wet food centres in central Somalia. This operation was extremely successful, with only one convey we controlled being partially looted. SAACID women managers repeatedly stood in front of conveys of food and literally stared down the barrels of the weapons of militias to get food through to those most in need. In many ways it was a defining moment in the lives of these women, who found their true purpose in life as they waited for the militias to make a decision to kill them or not. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis benefited from this programme. While the need in the famine was obvious, the international community empathised and money poured in to alleviate the crisis. Yet the more systemic problem of a completely collapsed health care system has not gained the attention of the international community. Even the most basic of first aid was (and is) problematic in much of the country. SAACID decided to focus on providing what health services it could by drawing the attention of the international community to the huge holes in health coverage. SAACID has been able to secure funding to set up 2 TB clinics (Somalia has one of the highest rates of TB in the world), beginning in 1994. The World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to provide SAACID with free drugs for these clinics. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to provide food for individuals who are suffering from TB (total weight is a significant factor in determining if you are able to resist TB and to recovery rates). |
SAACID provides the security, administration and wages for this initiative from its own 'pocket'. The whole programme is free to patients . This places a huge impost on SAACID, as we have no recurrent funding base at all.
The needs in Somalia are just so great that it is truly a daunting task to begin anywhere. There is still no healthcare system in place at any level. Sporadic individual initiatives, such as SAACID's, have emerged here and there, but the population at large continues to suffer in silence.
SAACID was able to some funding to develop the infrastructure to set up 2 TB clinics in the country. Although a significant impost on SAACID, we have sought funds to develop more clinics, and some isolation housing to take positive cases out of the home and community while they are contagious. We have never been successful in getting such funding.
SAACID has sought funds for a variety of other health initiatives, but has never had any significant success in attracting donor interest.
SAACID also operates 11 health outposts in the rural areas of the Middle Shabelle Region of Somalia. These health outposts are extremely rudimentary, but provide the only health coverage for people in those communities.
SAACID operates a hospital (outpatients only) in Adale District of Middle Shabelle. It is in a poor state, but continues to try to attract donors for infrastructure and technical upgrades.
SAACID has partnered WHO in the worldwide Polio vaccination programme in some parts of Somalia.
SAACID has partnered the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in some indigenous anti-Female Genital Mutilation programming (anti-FGM) in central Somalia with significant success.
SAACID has been a partner for UNICEF, UNFEM and WHO in anti-FGM and HIV/AIDS initiatives.
Funds are extremely scarce though, and the gaps are still utterly daunting.
SAACID would like to build on its current expertise in operating TB clinics and providing education in anti-FGM and HIV/AIDS. If you would like to know more about our health programming, or like to contribute to future programming, please feel free to contact us at the link below.
Mogadishu TB clinic
In 2005, SAACID's Mogadishu TB clinic was in serious structural decline, after termites ate out much of the building structure. After a long search for a donor, the Australian Government and DBG agreed to help to pay for the rehabilitation of the site. The new building was completed in July 2006 (see PDF above).
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