Public worries are mounting about the status of a 2016 Germany funded project to strengthen Puntland health systems that is yet to be completed. With the prevalence of corruption in Puntland and Somalia in general, and many projects for public benefit disappearing in thick clouds of fraud, there are plenty of reasons for the public to worry that this Germany funded project might have suffered the same fate too.
In cooperation with the FGS Ministry of Health and Puntland Ministry of Health, the 2016 “Strengthening Health Systems in Puntland” project was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and supported by the German Development Cooperation. The lead executing agency was UNICEF. With a EUR 30.75 million grant, the project was to be fulfilled in Nugaal and Mudug regions, with a current focus on the rehabilitation of four hospitals, namely Garoowe General Hospital, District Hospital Burtinle, District Hospital Bacaadweyn and District Hospital Galdogob.
To find out about the status of the project, we reached out to the German Embassy and the Embassy confirmed to Daljir that the “rehabilitation works of Garowe General Hospital had been delayed due to COVID caused disruption of supply chains and lack of human resources. Nevertheless, we still expect finalization of construction phase by the end of this year.”
The project entailed the rehabilitation of critical health infrastructure in urban and rural areas, the provision of medical equipment and the provision of good quality health and nutritional care. Activities are expected to include antenatal and postnatal care, birth spacing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV as well as tuberculosis and polio prevention. With regard to children’s health, the project aims at containing diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory illnesses, malaria and measles and also finances the vaccination against preventable diseases and the promotion of infant and young child nutrition.
The Embassy also confirmed to Daljir that the rehabilitation works in Garoowe General Hospital started in June 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant delays of the construction works, particularly due to bottlenecks related to the sourcing of materials and the availability of skilled human resources. However, progress has been achieved and in 2022 the plaster and electrical works commenced and are currently at 80%. Similarly, the floor and wall tiles, installation of gypsum board for ceiling and walls skimming have commenced in 2022. Overall, the completion rate of the works is at 50% (by the end of 2022).
After all, the project was delayed because of COVID and not because of corruption; however, Daljir will continue to follow up and provide additional updates to Daljir listeners, as more progresses are made on this very important project for Puntland’s Nugaal and Mudug communities.
Daljir Media | SOMALIA
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