Somalia: Puntland Launches Health Cost Recovery Policy to Boost Sustainable Healthcare Funding

GAROWE, Somalia – Puntland's Ministry of Health has officially launched a new health cost recovery policy aimed at improving the sustainability of healthcare financing while reducing reliance on foreign aid.

The policy, unveiled by Puntland's Minister of Health, Mohamed Abdirahman Faroole, is designed to support the delivery of quality healthcare services through a more sustainable funding model based on transparency, accountability, good governance, and community participation.

Under the policy, healthcare services will remain free of charge for vulnerable groups, including low-income families, internally displaced people, emergency cases, and maternal and child health services, the regional government said.

The first phase of implementation has begun in five district hospitals in Alula, Bargal, Ufeyn, Bali-Dhidin, and Iskushuban. Authorities plan to gradually expand the system to all district and regional hospitals across Puntland by early 2027.

The launch ceremony in Garowe city was attended by Puntland's ministers of finance, planning, and women, the deputy health minister, the state minister for finance, senior presidential and health ministry officials, the auditor general, and representatives of the Swedish embassy, Save the Children, and other development partners.

The Puntland Ministry of Health thanked the governments of Sweden and Switzerland, as well as Save the Children, for supporting the development and implementation of the policy.

GAROWE ONLINE