Surge in Diphtheria Cases and Deaths in Somalia Amid Vaccine Shortages and Aid Cuts

In Somalia, there has been a troubling rise in the number of diphtheria cases and related deaths this year, as stated by Somali health officials. Authorities report more than 1,600 cases have emerged, leading to 87 deaths, a stark increase from the previous year's totals of 838 cases and 56 deaths as outlined by Hussein Abdukar Muhidin, general director of the National Institute of Health. The disease, primarily affecting children, is characterized by symptoms such as swollen glands, respiratory issues, and fever, but can be prevented by vaccination, which has been available since the mid-20th century. While the country has seen some improvements in childhood immunization rates over the past decade, significant gaps remain, leaving hundreds of thousands of children unprotected.

An alarming account from Deka Mohamed Ali highlights the issue's severity; after fleeing violence in central Somalia, her four unvaccinated children all contracted diphtheria. While her nine-year-old daughter was fortunate enough to recover, her eight-year-old son tragically passed away, and her two younger children are currently receiving treatment in Mogadishu. Ali expressed her confusion about the illness, indicating a lack of awareness about diphtheria's signs. The Health Minister, Ali Haji Adam, noted the government's struggle to acquire sufficient vaccines due to a global shortage and mentioned that recent cuts to U.S. aid have hampered their efforts to distribute available doses effectively.

The reduction in U.S. foreign assistance to Somalia, dropping from $765 million to $149 million, has had dire consequences for the country's health services. Health Minister Adam lamented that the aid cuts have severely affected funding for health programs, leading to the closure of many health centers and cessation of mobile vaccination teams that served remote regions. Save the Children, a humanitarian organization, has reported that the cuts have contributed to a sharp increase in cases of diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, cholera, and severe respiratory infections. Additionally, the Somali government is facing criticism for allocating only 4.8% of its budget to health in 2024, down from 8.5% in the prior year, as reported by Amnesty International. Although the health ministry has indicated plans for a vaccination campaign, details remain unclear, leaving many in the community anxious about the ongoing health crisis.