GRT, in collaboration with Terre Solidali, the University of Milan, the Ministry of Health and Development – Somaliland, the Ministry of Health – Federal Republic of Somalia, IIDA, Save Somalia, GAVO is carrying out a series of interventions in Somaliland and Mogadisho to support and improve the country’s paediatric and mental health systems.
The project is financed by the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development – AICS (ref. 11514) and co-financed by the Waldensian Church – 8×1000.
Mental Health
Interventions in this area focus on strengthening and improving access to mental health services in Hargeisa and Somaliland, particularly for displaced persons, through:
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Clinical activities within the mental health ward of Hargeisa Hospital (theoretical and on-the-job training for medical and social staff; support for staff in case management and pharmacological treatments; improvement of clinical routines and outpatient visits).
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Strengthening the family-hospital alliance and family education (focusing on the relationship with patients and their families to ensure continuity of care and the development of a psychosocial rehabilitation pathway).
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Home-based clinical and social activities (home visits, therapy monitoring, local education, psychosocial interventions).
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Awareness campaigns to combat the strong stigma against people with mental disorders prevalent in the country.
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Implementation of an innovative computerized system for patient record management and monitoring in the mental health ward of Hargeisa Hospital.
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Creation and management of a coordination network of mental health and psychosocial support stakeholders in Somaliland.
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Task force for the revision of Somaliland’s mental health policy.
National Mental Health Policy
Working groups have been activated to define the first federal mental health policy in collaboration with IIDA and the Ministry of Health of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Pediatric Care
This initiative supports the specialized activities of the Mohamed Aden Sheikh Children Teaching Hospital (MASCHT), the only public facility entirely dedicated to pediatrics and neonatology. Targeted interventions by international specialists have been organized both on-site and via continuous telemedicine support; laboratory analyses have been expanded, and staff have been trained in management and accounting.
In collaboration with Terre Solidali, which has long been active in this field, MASCHT’s IT system has been strengthened, providing systems and procedures to work in an integrated manner with HGH Hospital. Workstations and servers have been supplied, and staff have been trained in their use.
Training sessions have been activated through the telemedicine system in connection with doctors, nurses, and technicians from the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Turin. All equipment necessary for remote training has been provided.
GAVO has launched a local fundraising plan involving small and large entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
The project is funded by:
