Somalia Intensifies National Preparedness Measures Against Ebola
Mogadishu, 25 April 2026 – The Federal Government of Somalia has stepped up its national preparedness efforts against Ebola following a high-level coordination meeting chaired by the Minister of Health and Social Care, Dr. Ali Haji Adam.
The meeting brought together senior government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Security, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, directors-general of key government institutions, and public health specialists to assess the country’s readiness to prevent and respond to any potential Ebola outbreak.
During the meeting, the Director General of the National Institute of Health presented a comprehensive briefing on the regional Ebola situation and outlined ongoing preparedness efforts. Officials were informed that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) continue to classify Ebola as a significant public health threat requiring heightened vigilance, robust surveillance, and rapid response capacity.
Authorities emphasized that Somalia has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases. However, participants agreed that strengthening national preparedness remains essential given the evolving regional health situation. Discussions focused on enhancing disease surveillance, improving early detection systems, strengthening laboratory and emergency response capacities, and ensuring effective coordination among government institutions.
The meeting also underscored the importance of public awareness campaigns to provide communities with accurate and timely health information while discouraging the spread of misinformation. Citizens and media organizations were urged to rely on official public health updates issued by the Ministry of Health and other recognized health authorities.
As part of the national preparedness strategy, De Martino Hospital has been designated as Somalia’s national referral facility for the assessment, isolation, and management of suspected Ebola cases. The hospital will serve as the country’s primary frontline center for Ebola preparedness and response should any suspected cases emerge.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through coordinated preparedness measures. He highlighted the need for immediate action in light of ongoing regional health risks and continued cross-border movement, particularly involving neighboring Uganda and Kenya.
The Federal Government reiterated that while there are currently no confirmed Ebola infections in Somalia, maintaining preparedness, strengthening surveillance systems, and promoting public awareness remain critical to protecting the country’s population from potential public health threats.
