By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 7 September 2026 Somalia's Health Ministry has launched national guidelines for newborn care aimed at standardizing healthcare services and reducing preventable deaths among newborns and young children.
Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam launched the guidelines in Mogadishu on Sunday, with officials from the ministry, partners including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, civil society groups, universities and health professionals attending.
The guidelines provide a unified, evidence-based framework for doctors, nurses, midwives and other health workers to provide consistent care to newborns, according to the Somali National News Agency.
The ministry said it would focus on implementing the guidelines, training health workers and ensuring they are used effectively in facilities nationwide.
The launch comes as Somalia faces some of the world's highest child mortality rates. UNICEF data puts under-five mortality at about 101 deaths per 1,000 live births, while neonatal mortality stands at 34 per 1,000.WHO's 2026 health assessment puts under-five mortality at 104 deaths per 1,000 live births, highlighting the continued burden facing children.
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At the launch, the health minister said particular attention was needed during the first 28 days of life, when newborns are especially vulnerable to preventable causes of death.
Somalia has been seeking to strengthen maternal and child healthcare through national strategies and partnerships with international organizations. UNICEF said earlier this year the country continues to face significant challenges including high maternal and child mortality, malnutrition and limited access to quality primary healthcare.
The new guidelines are expected to provide health workers with a common approach to newborn care while supporting efforts to improve quality and consistency of services across Somalia.
The ministry said the next focus would be putting the guidelines into practice and ensuring health workers receive necessary training.