Garowe (WDN)— Puntland’s health sector has been dealt a heavy blow following a dramatic 65% reduction in international funding, according to Puntland’s Minister of Health, Hon. Said Jama Qorsheel. The shortfall, officials confirm, is the direct result of donor countries slashing their foreign aid budgets — a global trend now hitting Somalia’s most vulnerable communities.

At a press conference in Garowe, Minister Qorsheel did not mince words about the severity of the situation. “We have lost nearly two-thirds of the funding that supports the delivery of critical health services,” he said. “This isn’t just a financial gap — it’s a life-threatening crisis for communities who rely on this support for maternal care, vaccinations, and emergency health interventions.”

The cutbacks, which have already disrupted a range of programs across Puntland, come at a time when the demand for health services is soaring. Clinics in remote districts report shortages of essential medicines and staff, while preventative care efforts, including immunization campaigns, are being scaled back or canceled altogether.

Donor Retrenchment Creating a Global Ripple Effect

The sharp drop in funding is part of a broader wave of international aid reductions as Western donor nations reallocate their foreign assistance budgets. Economic strains at home, shifting political priorities, and an increasing focus on domestic issues have led many traditional partners to retreat from their longstanding commitments to developing nations — Somalia included.

While the Somali Federal Government has remained largely silent about the mounting shortfalls, Puntland officials are sounding the alarm. Minister Qorsheel urged health experts, economists, and development partners to convene and identify innovative solutions to bridge the gap. “We cannot wait for more lives to be put at risk. If we do not find a sustainable alternative soon, the damage may be irreversible.”

Calls for Investment and Innovation

The funding crisis has sparked a renewed urgency for homegrown strategies. On Monday, Puntland’s Deputy President opened a high-level health investment forum in Garoowe aimed at attracting both domestic and international investment to strengthen health systems in the region. The conference comes amid growing calls from the Puntland diaspora and local communities for more robust government action in light of dwindling donor support.

“We must rethink our approach,” the Deputy President said in his opening remarks. “Puntland has always been a region that prides itself on resilience. But now we need partnerships — not just with donors, but with our own people, the private sector, and health experts — to design systems that can survive these kinds of shocks.”

Critical Needs in an Already Stressed System

Puntland’s health sector, like much of Somalia’s, has long depended on external support to supplement its under-resourced infrastructure. International donors have historically played a central role in supporting primary health care, maternal and child health, nutrition programs, and the prevention and treatment of communicable diseases.

With those lifelines drying up, medical workers across the region face growing challenges. In districts like Burtinle and Qandala, community clinics report increases in preventable illnesses, as outreach programs are halted and medicine stocks dwindle.

A midwife working in Nugaal, who asked not to be named, described heartbreaking choices being made every day: “Sometimes we have to decide who gets treated first because we don’t have enough supplies for everyone. This should never happen in any community.”

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

As international attention wanes, Puntland’s leaders are working against the clock to keep health systems afloat. Minister Qorsheel emphasized that health outcomes are not just about physical well-being but are tied to economic stability, social development, and national security.

“This is not just a humanitarian issue — it’s a national priority,” he said. “When people are healthy, communities are stable. When health systems collapse, we risk everything.” The message from Garoowe is clear: Puntland is asking for partners, not pity — and is determined to chart a new course toward sustainable health development, even amid the global aid retreat.

WDN will continue following the outcomes of the Puntland health investment conference and provide updates on pledges, partnerships, and policy shifts.

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