Maryam Qaasim (Somali: Maryam Qaasim Axmed,[1] Arabic: مريم قاسم) is a Somali politician. She served as the Minister for Human Development and Public Services of Somalia from November 2012 to January 2014. She is also the Chairperson of the Tayo Political Party. On 21 March 2017, she was appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management by the Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.[2]
Maryam Qaasim | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management | |
| Assumed office 29 March 2017 | |
| President | Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed |
| Prime Minister | Hassan Ali Khaire |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Chairperson of Tayo Political Party | |
| Assumed office 2 April 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Minister for Human Development and Public Services of Somalia | |
| In office 4 November 2012 – 17 January 2014 | |
| President | Hassan Sheikh Mohamud |
| Prime Minister | Abdi Farah Shirdon |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Mohamed Gurase Duale Adan Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Lugman Ismail Ali Khadijo Mohamed Diriye Khalid Omar Ali |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Tayo |
Background
editQaasim was born to a family from the Barwani (Bravanese) clan.[3]
She is a medical doctor by training. Qaasim previously served as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, living and working in various places, including Somalia, Yemen, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.[4]
Additionally, she was a university lecturer.[4]
Political career
editTransitional Federal Government
editIn a political capacity, Qaasim in 2010 acted as the Minister of Women's Development and Family Affairs in the Transitional Federal Government. She was a key part of Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo)'s Cabinet.[5]
Tayo
editOn 2 April 2012, Qaasim was elected the Chairperson of the Tayo Political Party (TPP). It is a Mogadishu-based political association that Farmajo had founded.[5]
Federal Government of Somalia
editAppointment
editOn 4 November 2012, she was named Minister of Social Development in the Federal Government of Somalia by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.[6] Officially termed the Minister for Human Development and Public Services, Qaasim's portfolio combines the Education, Health, Labour, Youth & Sports and Women & Social Affairs dockets.[4]
Health Sector Strategic Plans
editIn March 2013, the federal government under Minister of Health Qaasim launched the Health Sector Strategic Plans (HSSPs) for each of Somalia's constituent zones. The new national health system aims to provide universal basic healthcare to all citizens by 2016. While the government's institutional capacity is developing, UN agencies would in the interim through public-private partnerships administer immunization among other associated health programs. The HSSPs are valued at $350 USD million in total, with between 70%-75% earmarked for health services. Once finalized, the new national healthcare system is expected to ameliorate human capital in the health sector, as well as improve funding for health programs and overall health infrastructure.[7]
End of term
editQaasim's term as Minister for Human Development and Public Services ended on 17 January 2014, when the Ministry was split to allow the creation of 6 cabinet positions. She was succeeded in these roles by Ahmed Mohamed Gurase as Minister of Education, Duale Adan Mohamed as Minister of Culture and Higher Education, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud as Minister of Health, Lugman Ismail Ali as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Khadijo Mohamed Diriye as Minister of Women and Human Rights, and Khalid Omar Ali as Minister of Sports and Youth.[8]
Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management
editOn the 21 March 2017, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire announced that Dr.Maryan Qasim would hold the newly created post of Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Drs. Maryam Qaasim: "Talaab ma qaadi karno, iyadoon la helin xog rasmi ah"". Aqbaar. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "PM Khaire announces 27 member cabinet". Hiiraan Online. March 21, 2017.
- ^ "Initial assessment of the new Somali Cabinet" (PDF). Raxanreeb. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ a b c "About Dr. Qasim". Minister for Human Development & Public Services – Federal Republic of Somalia. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Somalia Report - 2 April 2012". Somalia Report. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "Somalia: Prime Minister Unveils His New Cabinet". Shabelle Media Network. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ "Somalia aims to provide universal basic health care by 2016". News-Medical. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
- ^ "SOMALIA PM Said "Cabinet will work tirelessly for the people of Somalia"". Midnimo. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
- ^ "Somali PM appoints cabinet with new humanitarian ministry". mareeg. March 21, 2017.