- Somalia CCG Member
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 30% of premature deaths in Somalia. Despite the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health conditions, financing for NCDs has remained limited, with health investments historically prioritizing humanitarian response, communicable diseases, and maternal and child health. Limited financing, fragmented health information systems, and weak evidence have constrained planning, resource mobilization and investment in NCD prevention and control.
Support from the Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN), through technical assistance, peer learning and catalytic funding, is helping Somalia establish the foundations for long-term investment in NCD prevention and control.
Through FAN’s support, Somalia has established its first multi-stakeholder Country Core Group (CCG) and strengthened its capacity to engage government institutions and partners. FAN has worked with the CCG to foster collaboration across stakeholders, supported policy dialogue, and catalyzed investments in stronger NCD surveillance and financing evidence.
Regional cross-country learning has also enabled Somali stakeholders to exchange experiences with other African countries on domestic resource mobilization, investment case development, and sustainable financing reforms. These efforts are creating an enabling environment for stronger governance, better evidence and more sustainable financing of NCDs.
FAN engagement has strengthened recognition of NCDs as both a public health and development financing priority. Increased collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Finance is helping position financing for NCDs within broader government planning and budgeting processes.
“Following the FAN engagement, we met with the Ministry of Finance... they understood the issue and started discussing possible budget allocations to NCDs.” – Somalia CCG Member
Through FAN catalytic funding, Somalia has established its first Regional NCD Registry to generate reliable data on disease burden and financing needs. The registry will strengthen planning, budget advocacy, and future investment cases by providing the evidence required for informed decision-making.
“Previously, every NGO was using their own registry... now we are developing a national registry that will be used across the country.” – Somalia CCG Member
FAN has created opportunities for dialogue on domestic resource mobilization while strengthening technical capacity and multisectoral collaboration. These early changes are helping Somalia build the institutional foundations needed to mobilize sustainable domestic resources for NCD prevention and control.
Somalia's journey towards sustainable financing for NCDs is still at an early stage, but the important foundations have been established. Increased political commitment, stronger collaboration, improved financing dialogue and investments in NCD data systems are positioning the country to move from fragmented responses towards a more coordinated, evidence-driven and sustainably financed approach to NCD prevention and control.
As the Regional NCD Registry is rolled out and the multisectoral NCD strategy is finalized, Somalia will be better positioned to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, develop compelling investment cases and improve access to quality NCD services.
Sustaining this momentum will require continued political commitment and an enabling environment that supports long-term investment and sustainable financing for NCDs.
“The challenge before us is significant, but meaningful progress is possible when political commitment, evidence, partnerships and sustainable financing come together.” – Dr Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, Minister of Health and Human Services, Somalia
The FAN is helping to unlock sustainable financing for NCDs, strengthening the foundations for more resilient and equitable health systems.
Somalia is strengthening its health system and response to NCDs despite years of fragility. Political commitment, community solidarity, and early financing innovations provide a foundation for expanding equitable access to NCD services.
By establishing Somalia’s first regional NCD registry, the country will begin building a foundation of reliable evidence that can inform investment cases, strengthen budget advocacy, and support the integration of NCDs into Universal Health Coverage and national budget frameworks.