By Abukar Osman - Reporter
SOMALIA (Dawan ) — A large-scale medical campaign began in Mogadishu on Friday, offering specialised surgeries to more than 200 low-income Somali patients in a country where access to healthcare remains severely limited.
For many beneficiaries, the initiative represents not only medical treatment but relief after years of pain and limited access to specialised care.
The campaign includes 140 ear, nose and throat surgeries, 50 general surgical procedures and 20 urology operations.
The initiative is funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and implemented by the International Society for the Care of Victims of Wars and Disasters. The surgeries are being carried out at Hodan Hospital in Mogadishu.
Acting Director of the King Salman Center Office, Abdalla Al-Saudi, said the project reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to supporting Somalia’s health sector and humanitarian needs.
“This project confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to its leading role in volunteer work and supporting the health sector in Somalia,” he said.
Saudi Ambassador to Somalia Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mowallad said the campaign reflects the Kingdom’s continued humanitarian and development support for Somalia.
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“These directives aim to contribute to alleviating the suffering of patients among the brotherly Somali people and to support efforts to develop the medical services system and the health sector in the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the ambassador said.
Somalia’s Health Minister Ali Haji Adan welcomed the continued Saudi support and said the government is working to strengthen healthcare services and partnerships with international organisations.
“The Ministry of Health attaches great importance to strengthening partnerships with international humanitarian and medical institutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the director of Hodan Hospital Dr. Mohamed Isak called for deeper cooperation between Somali and Saudi medical institutions to reduce the number of Somalis travelling abroad for treatment.
“More than 5,000 Somali citizens travel abroad every month in search of treatment, particularly for complex surgeries,” the hospital director said, warning that the trend continues to place a heavy financial and humanitarian burden on the country.
Somalia remains among the world’s least-served countries in healthcare access due to weak public health infrastructure, limited free medical services, the dominance of private healthcare providers and the high cost of treatment for many families.