Somaliland Family Health Association

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SOFHA Project Activities

• In Hospitals and Clinics
  • Training health professionals in offering sound reproductive health information and services while employing the best counselling and confidentiality practices.
• In Pharmacies
  • Partnering with pharmacies which employ trained staff or are willing to be trained in dispensing accurate and safe information and products.
• In Schools and Universities
  • Establishing resources in schools for girls and young women so they can access reproductive health information and services in a safe, private and comfortable setting, without interruption of their studies.
• In the Community
  • SOFHA will be in natural gathering places as a mobile information service unit, answering questions & clearing up the myths and misconceptions that surround FP and Infertility and create a permanent presence through a HOTLINE anonymous and available to everyone.
• On Radio and TV Programes
  • A multi channel educational campaign about family planning and available services.

Welcome to SOFHA

Somaliland Family Health Association(SOFHA) is the first national family health association in Somaliland. The association came out of a clear need for comprehensive reproductive health and family planning information and services in Somaliland. The members of the Association are nurses, midwives, medical doctors, leaders of local NGO's and important members of Somaliland society. We have all come together to advance family planning and improve maternal and child health care in Somaliland.

Current family planning services are limited, vague and often unsafe. Information about family planning does not reach those most in need of it.

Although pharmacies in Somaliland are not yet regulated they still provide various contraceptives. The proprietors of these pharmacies are usually not trained pharmacists or health professionals. This combination of unqualified practitioner and untested products can create tragic health consequences including infections, complications and even infertility.

Some people in Somaliland believe that family planning is against their religion, even though Islam clearly permits the practice. Others know it is permissible but fear the disapproval and criticism of family members or the abandonment of husbands in a society where multiple marriages occur, and currently seem to be a trend. Others think that using contraceptives will lead to infertility and other health problems. Consequently, there's a need to address these challenges through health promotion, advocacy, and legislation.

There's a clear link between the application of family planning practices and a decrease in maternal and child mortality. In a country with one of the worlds highest maternal and child mortality rates, the advancement of family planning services is a priority.

There is also little recourse for couples dealing with infertility. This segment of the population also needs access to reproductive health services.

SOFHA is committed to making family planning a permanent part of mainstream maternal and child health care. We are determined that every woman and man, young or old, shall have access to safe and comprehensive reproductive health knowledge and services. SOFHA will employ best practices in training and advocacy, to advance family planning services in Somaliland.

Phone 00 252 2 4008320     Hargeisa     © 2013 Somaliland Family Health

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