Socioeconomic and security-related barriers to access to health care
Many people in Somalia’s Bay Region live in poverty, making it difficult for them to afford medical care and transportation to secondary health facilities. Transportation costs – in some cases as much as $300 – can be prohibitive, forcing many to delay or forgo necessary medical care, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases.
People in the Bay Area face significant health and humanitarian challenges due to ongoing conflict, chronic instability and climate shocks leading to severe droughts and flash floods. The crumbling health system further exacerbates the situation, leaving women and children most vulnerable. Challenges to accessing health care are multifaceted and include security, economic, cultural and infrastructure barriers.
Cultural norms and traditional practices play a significant role in access to healthcare. In many families, men make the healthcare decisions, leaving women without autonomy in making decisions about their own health and medical procedures. This delay in decision-making can result in late arrivals to medical facilities. In addition, a general distrust of modern medical practices and low health awareness prevent the adoption of preventive and curative health measures.
“It is common for surgeries to result in children being switched with others, leading many to refuse hospital treatment,” says Habiba Mohamed Abdirahman, a traditional birth attendant in Baidoa. “In addition, there are common misconceptions about blood donation. These include fears about health risks associated with blood donation, concerns about religious or cultural taboos, and misunderstandings about the medical process.”
