Italian Doctors Honoured for Life-Saving Heart Surgeries on Somali Children

By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter

Somalia, January 26, 2026 The Hormuud Salaam Foundation held a ceremony in Mogadishu on Sunday to honour Italian doctors who performed life-saving heart surgeries on 24 Somali children in Milan, Italy.

The event recognized Prof. Stefano Marianeschi and Dr. Stefano Mazzoleni, along with the support of Italy’s Ambassador to Somalia, Piere Dacco, and program initiator Edna Moallin Abdirahman.

The ceremony was attended by Somalia’s Second Deputy Prime Minister, Jibril Haji Abdirashiid Abdi, ministers, members of parliament, former Banadir region governor Yusuf Hussein Jima’le, Hormuud Salaam Foundation officials, the treated children, and their families.

Hormuud Salaam Foundation Chairman Abdullahi Noor Osman said the program was created to provide critical cardiac care for children who cannot be treated locally. The foundation said the initiative cost nearly $700,000, covering surgeries, travel, and medical care.

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The surgeries were performed at Niguarda Hospital in Milan, where the Italian medical team also screened 55 additional children expected to receive treatment later in 2026.

Parents expressed heartfelt gratitude, Abdikariim Hussen Adan, whose son underwent surgery, said: “My son Mohamed was born with an open heart and was in a very critical condition, but today he has hope and health. All thanks are due to God, and then to everyone who worked to save my son’s life.”

Prof. Marianeschi said he was pleased to help Somali children and pledged to continue providing medical assistance. Ambassador Dacco reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to humanitarian aid, while Somali officials highlighted the program’s impact on children and families facing life-threatening conditions.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to the Italian doctors, Hormuud Salaam Foundation, the Italian Ambassador, and Abdirahman. The children and their parents also presented gifts and thanks to the medical team.

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