Qaasim previously served as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, living and working in various places, including Somalia, Yemen, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

[4] In a political capacity, Qaasim in 2010 acted as the Minister of Women's Development and Family Affairs in the Transitional Federal Government.

[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.

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.

[7] Qaasim'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.