PSI/Somaliland estimates that in 2015, its products and services helped avert 36,259 DALYs, including, by health area:

• 1,807 FP DALYs
• 33,102 MNCH DALYs
• 1,351 WASH DALYs

PSI/Somaliland’s family planning programs also provided 3,501 couple-years of protection. 

Pneumonia 

Pre-Packaged Therapy Kits for Pneumonia Treatment

In 2014, PSI introduced a high-quality, pre-packaged pediatric dose of Amoxicillin tablets for non-severe cases of pneumonia. This was through the public sector maternal and child health clinics (MCH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. To raise awareness around the product, and to promote early care-seeking behavior for children showing the two danger signs of pneumonia, PSI also launched a behavior change communication campaign to encourage mothers to visit their local MCHs. In 2016, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, PSI introduced the branded product into the private sector through selected and trained PSI affiliated pharmacies, ensuring greater access.

Diarrheal Disease

Integrated Management

For the prevention of diarrhea, PSI works to ensure access to safe drinking water through social marketing of BiyoSifeeye, a simple and cost-effective water purification tablet. Each tablet of BiyoSifeeye treats 20 liters of water and is sold in affordable strips of four tablets, which allows consumers with minimal disposable cash to afford safe drinking water for their families.

For the management of diarrhea cases, PSI promotes the use of oral rehydration salts and zinc supplementation tablets through social marketing of Shuban Daweeye diarrhea treatment kits.

PSI promotes the benefits of both products, educates caregivers and health providers on prevention and treatment of diarrhea, and ensures availability of these life-saving products.

Nutrition

 Home-Level Fortification with Micronutrient Powders

In Somaliland, anemia prevalence among children six to 59 months is 45.2% and iron deficiency is 59.6%. The vitamin A deficiency at 25.6% exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) cut off for severe undernutrition, which is 20%. PSI addresses the burden of malnutrition by socially marketing micronutrient powder Super Fariid, to improve iron status and reduce anemia among children under five years of age. This product was launched in 2014 and is distributed through retail locations across the country, ensuring ease of access and increased health impact.

Maternal Health

Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage 

In 2010, PSI developed a country-specific, branded communication strategy to introduce misoprostol targeting women of reproductive age. Messages were delivered through media and interpersonal communication sessions. PSI, in close collaboration with local institutions, facilitated training of providers on active management of the third stage of labor and safe and correct use of misoprostol. Misoprostol is provided to selected health facilities with delivery services and qualified personnel at subsidized prices. Monitoring and supervision visits to health facilities are conducted quarterly in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

 Contraception

 Increasing Demand and Access to Modern Contraceptives

PSI employs innovative approaches to overcome significant barriers to contraceptive use and adapts its program to the socio-cultural and economic environment of the target population. PSI distributes birth spacing products and uses behavior change communication targeting women of reproductive age in order to create demand and increase utilization of modern methods. Birth spacing products are distributed nationally through private pharmacies and in public health facilities. PSI launched oral contraceptives in 2010 and injectables in 2011. In 2016, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, PSI introduced implant contraceptives services through selected and trained private health facilities on a pilot basis.

Behavior Change Communication

Encouraging healthy behaviors and empowering people to make informed decisions regarding their health is at the center of PSI’s work. PSI’s behavior change communication uses commercial marketing techniques to position products and services with messages that promotes knowledge and help reinforce healthy behaviors. Communications campaigns are disseminated to PSI’s target audiences through a variety of channels, such as mass media (national TV and radio channels), peer education, community theater, interpersonal communication, information, education and communication materials and special events.

Interpersonal Communication Program

In 2010, PSI launched a series of health education sessions reaching women of reproductive age with essential reproductive and child health information. Sessions are designed to increase women’s knowledge to make informed decisions regarding modern birth spacing methods as well as other topics such as safe delivery, infant and young child feeding practices, and the importance of antenatal and postnatal care. In 2015 and 2016, PSI also piloted an interpersonal communication program targeting men with information on maternal and child health and modern birth spacing.

Social Franchise Network 

In July 2011, PSI designed a social franchise network – Bulsho-Kaab (translated as ‘community helper’) – to harness the potential of private pharmacies in Somaliland and contribute to the provision of high-quality services and products.

The Bulsho-Kaab network was designed to offer an integrated package of services that include a range of reproductive and child health interventions. These high-quality services and products were at affordable prices for low-income communities. Private providers benefited from increased revenues generated through an expanding clientele. PSI attracted these new clients and generated demand of products and services through media and community awareness, specialized training and on-job supportive supervision provided by PSI’s team of trained medical detailers.

Donors

• UK Department for International Development (DfID)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Partners

• World Health Organization (WHO)