Program Description

The Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) program at SIMAD University, launched in 2017 under the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is designed to develop skilled, ethical, and community-focused professionals capable of addressing current and emerging public health challenges in Somalia and beyond. Taught by highly qualified instructors specialized in core public health fields such as epidemiology, nutrition, environmental health, biostatistics, and health promotion, the program offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that integrates classroom learning with real-world experience. 

Students benefit from structured field visits to a variety of sites, including food and non-food industries, hospitals, refugee and IDP camps, and government health institutions, allowing them to observe and analyze public health practices in diverse settings. The program emphasizes applied learning through practical field training, community-based research, and a comprehensive 6-credit internship in health centers, NGOs, and public health departments. These experiences prepare graduates to assess health needs, design effective interventions, and contribute meaningfully to public health systems, policy development, and community well-being.

The BPH program prepares graduates to:

• Analyse health trends and determinants
• Design and evaluate effective public health interventions
• Engage with communities to promote healthier behaviors
• Contribute to national health systems and policies
• Work in hospitals, ministries, international agencies, NGOs, and research institutions

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• • Prepare graduates for careers as epidemiologists, NGO managers, and public health officers.
  • Equip students with skills in disease prevention, health promotion, and community engagement.
  • Foster ethical, research-driven, and leadership-oriented professionals.
  • Support impactful work in ministries, hospitals, NGOs, and international agencies.
  • Train professionals in environmental health, sanitation, and disease control.
  • Prepare graduates to work as environmental health officers, sanitation inspectors, and public health advisors.

Mode of Study

• Open & Distance Learning: (Online)
• Tri-semester system: 3 semesters per academic year
• Program Duration: 5 years

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Apply Core Public Health Knowledge: Demonstrate a solid understanding of core public health domains, including epidemiology, environmental health, nutrition, and vector control, and apply this knowledge to analyze and address public health issues at various levels.
2. Community Health Assessment and Program Planning: Identify and assess community health needs and design evidence-based public health interventions tailored to the social, cultural, and environmental contexts of the population.
3. Epidemiological and Biostatistical Competence: Collect, analyze, and interpret health data using appropriate epidemiological and biostatistical methods to inform public health programs, policy-making, and research.
4. Environmental and Occupational Health Application: Assess and manage environmental and occupational health risks, including pollution control, sanitation, water safety, and workplace health hazards, to promote a safe and healthy environment.
5. Nutrition and Public Health Practice: Apply the principles of nutrition to prevent malnutrition, promote food safety, and support community-based nutritional interventions that improve population health outcomes.
6. Vector Control and Disease Prevention: Implement integrated vector control strategies to reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases and contribute to disease prevention and health protection efforts.
7. Health Promotion and Behavioral Change: Design and implement health promotion strategies that encourage behavioral change and support disease prevention through culturally appropriate education and community engagement.
8. Leadership, Communication, and Advocacy: Demonstrate leadership, effective communication, and advocacy skills in engaging stakeholders, managing health programs, and promoting public health initiatives.
9. Health Policy and Systems Strengthening: Analyze health systems, policies, and regulations, and contribute to their development and implementation to strengthen public health infrastructure and governance.
10. Ethics, Professionalism, and Legal Accountability: Uphold ethical principles and legal standards in all aspects of public health practice and decision-making, respecting human rights and professional codes of conduct.
11. Global Health and Sustainable Development: Address global and regional health challenges, including pandemics, climate change, and health inequities, with sustainable and collaborative approaches aligned with international health regulations.
12. Technology and Information Systems in Public Health: Utilize digital technologies and health information systems to support data-driven decision-making, program evaluation, and public health communication.
13. Lifelong Learning and Research Engagement: Engage in lifelong learning, critical inquiry, and research to remain current with emerging public health trends and innovations, and contribute to the evidence base for effective practice.

Career Prospectus

Some career opportunities for graduates, such as:

• Public Health Officer
• Epidemiologist
• Environmental Health Specialist
• Health Educator
• NGO Program Manager
• International Health Consultant