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Background: Health professions education, encompassing training programs for medicine and surgery, nursing, midwifery, medical laboratory sciences,, and public health, along with their regulations, are pivotal to achieving universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, contributing significantly to health outcomes and public trust in the healthcare workforce. However, low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, face challenges, such as inadequate resources, outdated curricula, and weak governance. Somalia in particular grapples with a fragmented health system and a critical shortage of skilled health professionals, exacerbated by decades of civil war and political instability. Methods: This study employed a mixed-method approach that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted along with semi-structured interviews with 44 key informants, including representatives from professional health schools and officials from the Ministry of Health. Additionally, five focus group discussions were held with young professionals and an online survey was administered to students enrolled in professional health courses. The data analysis employed descriptive for quantitative data, and thematic analysis for qualitative data, guided by the human resources for health (HRH) maturity model framework. Results: This study identified 112 health professions schools across Somalia, with a significant concentration in urban areas, particularly in Benadir. The health workforce analysis revealed a pronounced urban-rural disparity and a density of health professionals below the WHO's recommended threshold. The focus group discussions and surveys highlighted the employment challenges faced by young physicians and students' perceptions of their training and future employment opportunities. Conclusion: The proliferation of health professions schools without adequate quality control, the critical shortage and maldistribution of skilled health professionals, and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework are significant challenges facing Somalia's healthcare system. The establishment of the National Health Professionals' Council (NHPC) Act in 2020 marks a step towards addressing these issues. This study emphasizes the need for accreditation of health professions schools, capacity building of HRH teams, and collaboration among stakeholders to improve healthcare workforce development and regulation. Addressing urban-rural disparities and combating professional misconduct are also crucial for achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes in Somalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somalia faces many challenges in providing adequate and accessible healthcare to its population, particularly in rural and remote areas. Lack of infrastructure, resources, and security hinders the delivery of quality health services and the prevention and control of diseases. However, modern technologies such as mobile phones, the Internet, and telemedicine offer new opportunities to digitize health care and improve health outcomes in Somalia. This paper explores the current state of healthcare in Somalia, the potential benefits, and challenges of using modern technologies to digitize healthcare, and the best practices and recommendations for implementing such technologies in the Somali context. This paper examines a telemedicine project that connects remote healthcare facilities with urban specialists. We assess its effectiveness and sustainability, showing its potential to improve healthcare in rural areas of Somalia. The review concludes that modern technologies can play a vital role in digitizing healthcare in Somalia, but they require careful planning, coordination, and evaluation to ensure their effectiveness and suitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]