Beledweyne Hospital Submerged as Shabelle River Floods Disrupt Healthcare Services

Beledweyne(Mogadishu24)-Beledweyne Hospital has been submerged in water following the overflow of the Shabelle River in the city, affecting the hospital's operations and the provision of healthcare services.

Since October, heavy rains have caused riverine flooding, killing 50 people, 10 of whom were from Beledweyne town. According to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), the floods have also affected over 1.7 million people, displacing more than 600,000.

In Beledweyne, vital services including education and health have been disrupted, temporarily making hospitals, crucial community services, dysfunctional.

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and community health workers, are facing huge challenges in delivering medical services such as emergency care, surgery, and maternity services.

“The floods have severely affected the hospital; the emergency department has been affected, beds have been submerged, and the laboratory department is underwater, rendering testing machines inoperable. All hospital equipment has been affected,” said Galad Ahmed Khalif, a hospital staff member.

He added, “This has halted hospital operations, directly impacting the residents. We cannot admit patients to the hospitals, and it will be difficult for them to access services in Ceel-Jaalle.”