31 people killed as heavy fighting broke in Kismayo

The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the increased number of casualties and fatalities, as heavy fighting has resumed in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo.

Doctors at Kismayo General Hospital and Army Hospital reported 31 people dead and 38 wounded after two consecutive days of clashes, which broke out on Friday 7 June 2013.

“Of the 30 weapon related injuries that were admitted at Kismayo General Hospital, nine people were in bad conditions and has to undergo surgical operations. Four of them did not survive”, said a doctor in Kismayo.

With the support of Norway and of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, WHO provided surgical equipment to Kismayo General Hospital in October 2012.

Children in Somalia to receive new vaccination against deadly diseases

Mogadishu/Garowe/Hargeisa (24 April 2013) – The Somali authorities launched a new five-in-one-vaccine against several potentially fatal childhood diseases on Wednesday, which could save thousands of lives.

From today, Somali children will receive the pentavalent vaccine, a combination of five vaccines in one against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) - the bacteria that cause meningitis, pneumonia and other illnesses, all of which are highly prevalent. The vaccine will be part of Somalia’s routine immunisation programme.

More than 1.3 million doses of pentavalent vaccine have been provided to Somalia for 2013 and will be used to immunise children under one year of age.