On Sunday, the Minister of Health Development of Somaliland, Mr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi, presided over a crucial meeting to discuss the prevention and preparedness of the Ebola epidemic. The meeting focused on assessing and strengthening the national preparedness levels, in light of the recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. This meeting was prompted by the serious health threat posed by the Ebola epidemic to the Horn and East Africa, and neighboring countries have already heightened their prevention efforts. Somaliland has made the safety and well-being of its citizens a top priority and has already begun implementing plans and initial measures to strengthen national preparedness. High-level meetings are expected to take place in the coming days, with the participation of international agencies. According to the Minister, “The Ministry is always on high alert to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, strengthen the health system, and ensure that citizens have access to quality, safe, and effective health services.” He also added, “We are ready to work with international partners to ensure full preparedness against any medical emergency.” The meeting was attended by the Assistant Minister, the Director-General, and experts from various departments, including public health, planning and policy, immunization and child health, and emergency response. Ebola is a deadly epidemic that can spread quickly, and Somaliland is committed to adopting international best practices and taking proactive measures to prevent its spread. The government is also preparing laboratory equipment and isolation centers in case of any potential outbreaks.
