The private health sector in Somalia is critical in the delivery of health services, despite poor regulation and minimal public sector or health development partner support. Government planning and programs focus mainly on public facilities and private not-for-profit (PNFP) providers due to the lack of coordination, communication and cohesion. The public health sector faces resource constraints to provide quality health services to the entire population and the private health sector is currently highly fragmented and not well connected to government initiatives.

Furthermore, fragmentation amongst the private health providers (PHP) and health professionals, loosely grouped in numerous associations and groups persisted. This fragmentation and lack of one voice resulted in the exclusion of PHP from the Ministry of Health and development partner programs, as well as policy consultations. To address these challenges, and the need to have a private health sector umbrella body, the Somali Healthcare Federation was formed in 2024.