Somalia has an opportunity to avoid the full blown HIV/AIDS emergency route journeyed by many other African nations, but the absence of a centralized government and regulatory capacity to enforce basic medical standards has left the population at high risk.

Pre-conditions exist for rapid transmission if action is not taken soon at the most fundamental levels of HIV/AIDS education and safe sex; the protection of women and girls from sexual violence; and the enforcement of safe medical practices to protect the blood supply and prevent the re-use of contaminated instruments.

A doctor and nurse attend to a patient in the Hargeisa Hospital .