By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, July 31 2026 – Somalia has launched a national association of surgeons to strengthen surgical care, professional standards and specialist training in the country's health sector.
The Somali Surgical Society was unveiled at a ceremony in Mogadishu attended by officials from the Ministry of Health, lawmakers, medical professionals and representatives of healthcare organisations on Thursday.
Speaking at the launch, the association's chairman, Dr. Mohamed Mahmud Omar, said the new body would unite surgeons from different specialties, including general surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, urology, paediatric surgery, cardiovascular surgery and other disciplines, to promote collaboration, research and continuing professional development.
Officials from the Ministry of Health said the association would play a key role in implementing Somalia's National Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia Strategic Plan, describing an organised professional body for surgeons as a cornerstone for developing the country's surgical workforce.
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The Somali Medical Association welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen the professional organisation of surgeons and help expand specialist training for young doctors. Association President Dr. Zainab Mahmud Mohamed said establishing the society would also support Somalia's efforts to join the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), a regional institution that accredits surgical training programmes and qualifications.
Senator Osman Mahmud, who attended the launch, said the new association would contribute to improving surgical services, professional training and international recognition of Somalia's surgical workforce.
COSECSA is the largest surgical training institution in sub-Saharan Africa, offering a common postgraduate training programme, examinations and internationally recognised surgical qualifications across East, Central and Southern Africa.