In South-Central Somalia, the delivery of modern healthcare is increasingly driven by a single, powerful variable: real-time information.
For years, the health sector relied on manual record-keeping. While it worked, paper logs and manual reporting created gaps. When families moved, records could be lost or duplicated, and when supplies were needed, data often arrived too late to help.
Today, Somalia is entering a new era of digital transformation. The CaafimaadPlus Consortium is proud to partner with the government to modernize these systems so that care is faster, clearer, and more reliable. This work is made possible with the generous support of EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).
With the Caafimaad+ Digitalized Data System (C+ DDS) and the Pharmaceutical Information Management System (PIMS), the health response is becoming more precise and connected.
In a bustling maternal health clinic in Afgoye, Halima Abdullahi used to navigate a system of manual logs and paper cards. Whenever she relocated or visited a different health post, her children’s vaccination history was at risk of being misplaced, potentially leading to missed doses or duplicated efforts.
Today, Halima’s experience is different. Her family’s health data is securely stored within the C+ DDS, allowing health workers to access her records instantly regardless of the facility location.
“I was always afraid of losing my children’s health cards when we moved,” Halima shared while visiting the clinic. “Now, I feel much more at ease knowing that the doctors already have our information ready as soon as we arrive.”
Somalia is already a global leader in mobile technology and digital finance. The health sector is now following this ambitious trajectory. By transitioning to digital platforms, we are working alongside the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that health data is as mobile and resilient as the populations we serve.
This is not just a technological upgrade; it is a commitment to ensuring every patient is seen, heard, and accounted for within a professionalized national framework. This shift ensures children receive the right care at the right time, providing a foundation of dignity and continuity for families across the region.
This collaborative digital transformation rests on three critical pillars. First, we have achieved Precision in Every Dose through PIMS, developed by International Medical Corps. Health professionals use handheld devices and barcode scanning to capture dispensing data in real-time, ensuring life-saving medication reaches those who need it most.
Second, Data-Driven Logistics allows the C+ DDS to serve as a bridge between frontline clinics and national planning. Replacing manual reports with real-time entry and predictive alerts allows us to forecast needs based on actual usage trends, ensuring essential supplies are always available.
Third, we are Strengthening the National Health Fabric through seamless integration with the Somali Federal Ministry of Health’s frameworks. The C+ DDS pushes data directly into the government’s DHIS2 platform in real-time, ensuring information becomes part of a single, unified national health record.
What started in mid-2024 as an ambitious pilot in just five facilities has rapidly evolved into a regional success story. Today, the digitalization initiative is operational in over 40 facilities across 9 regions and more than 25 districts.
The system now captures over 3,000 consultations a day, digitalizing every critical aspect of our integrated response including Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Protection. While the digital dashboard provides a high-level view of health trends, its true value is felt at the facility level. It empowers the nurse who can instantly access a history and the mother who receives a timely reminder for her child’s next vaccination.
Digitalization is the bridge to a more modern and inclusive health system. Supported by EU Humanitarian Aid, CaafimaadPlus is working in lockstep with the Somali authorities to build a resilient, transparent, and world-class health ecosystem.
We are honoring our commitment to a healthier, more connected future for every Somali citizen through the strategic use of data. The era of manual uncertainty is giving way to a new standard of excellence in data-driven healthcare that reaches people when they need it most.
About CaafimaadPlus: The consortium is funded by EU Humanitarian Aid and consists of Action Against Hunger, Concern Worldwide, Trocaire, International Medical Corps, SOS Children’s Villages, SAMA, Juba Foundation, Lifeline Gedo, Youth-Link, and SHACDO. Together, we work in partnership with Somali health authorities to deliver integrated life-saving support.
