Call for Abstracts

Center for Applied Development Innovation and Research > Call for Abstracts
Call for Abstracts – Somalia Health Policy and System Research Conference

Main Theme: Advancing Health Policy and System Research for Building a Resilient Health System in Somalia

The Centre for Applied Development, Innovation and Research (CADIR) at the University of Bosaso Garowe, together with the Somali Institute for Health Research (SIHR), is launching one of Somalia’s first Health Policy and System Research Conferences in Garowe. The event provides a platform for health research, policy dialogue, and innovation exchange. Somalia faces major public health challenges, including high maternal and child mortality, communicable diseases outbreaks, rising NCDs, and weak health system structures. With limited research use in policymaking, the conference theme emphasizes strengthening evidence across health systems, RMNCAH-N, and disease streams to support resilient, equitable health services and informed decision-making in Somalia.

Theme and Sub-Themes

Main Theme: Advancing Health Policy and System Research for Building a Resilient Health System in Somalia

Sub-Themes:
  • Sub-theme 1: Health Governance and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)– focusing on health policy and system approach to understand the Somali’s federalism and health governance, health coordination health financing, private sector engagement and regulation, and evidence-based policymaking.
  • Sub-theme 2: Scaling Equitable RMNCAH-N Service Delivery– focusing on health policy and system approaches to understand coverage, access, equity, and quality of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health & Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services, including among vulnerable and underserved populations (IDPs, rural, and nomadic communities).
  • Sub-theme 3: Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases– focusing on research that contribute to understand the dual burden of disease, including emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, emergency preparedness and response, climate-related health threats, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions.
Purpose and Objectives

The conference seeks to establish a platform where researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and partners can exchange evidence, debate challenges, and identify practical solutions for Somalia’s health sector. Specifically, the conference aims to:

  1. Showcase health policy and system research conducted in Somalia
  2. Promote evidence-based policymaking by linking researchers and decision-makers.
  3. Facilitate networking and collaboration among universities, institutions, and health actors.
  4. Provide young researchers and students with opportunities to present their work.
  5. Build momentum for institutionalizing a culture of health research in Somalia.
Submission Guidelines:
  • Title
  • Author(s) and Affiliation(s) – Include contact details: Email and WhatsApp of the presenter.
  • Background– Brief context and rationale for the study.
  • Objectives– Clear aims or research questions.
  • Methods– Study design, data sources, participants, analysis approach.
  • Results– Key findings (may include preliminary results where applicable).
  • Conclusion– Main implications, contribution to existing knowledge.
  • Keywords– Up to 5.
Formatting Requirements
  • Word count: 500 words (excluding title and keywords).
  • Language: English
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
  • Spacing: Single line spacing.
  • File Format: MS Word (.docx).
  • Referencing: No tables, figures, or citations allowed in the abstract.
Important Dates
  • Call Opens: 27th December 2025
  • Abstract Submission Deadline: 27th Jan. 2026
  • Notification of Acceptance:  1st March 2026
  • Participants engagements and submission of presentations or/and posters: 15th March 2026
  • Conference Date, and Location : 13-14 April 2026, Garowe, Puntland, Somalia
Submission Process

Submit your abstract via email: info.cadir@uobg.edu.so , copy to info@sihr.institute

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact: University of Bosaso – Garowe (UOBG) Garowe, Puntland – Somalia

Email: Abdirizak.hassan@uobg.edu.so, copy to Mmmohamud@uobg.edu.so

Tel: +252-90-7744649 web: www.cadir.uobg.edu.so