Abstract
Abstract
Background
Reliable health workforce information is essential for workforce planning and progress toward universal health coverage, yet evidence from fragile health systems remains limited. This study assessed Somalia’s reported health workforce, subnational distribution, reporting coverage, and attainment of Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) minimum staffing requirements.
Methods
A cross-sectional secondary analysis of 2024 Human Resources for Health (HRH) data reported through Somalia’s District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) was conducted across Banadir Regional Administration and five Federal Member States. Workforce stock, occupational composition, geographic distribution, reporting coverage, and EPHS staffing adequacy were summarized using frequencies and proportions.
Results
A total of 10,928 health workers were reported. Nursing personnel constituted the largest occupational group (37.4%), followed by midwifery personnel (13.5%) and community/female health workers (12.7%). Of 771 facilities expected to report HRH data, 527 (68.4%) contributed data. Among reporting facilities, 210 met the applicable EPHS minimum staffing requirement, corresponding to an observed staffing adequacy of 39.8%. Reporting coverage and staffing adequacy varied substantially across administrative areas.
Conclusion
Somalia’s reported health workforce is characterized by limited staffing capacity, uneven subnational distribution, and incomplete HRH reporting. Strengthening workforce supply and skill mix alongside routine HRH data completeness and quality is essential for reliable workforce planning and EPHS implementation.