By Abukar Osman. - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 17 October 2026 – Medical professionals gathered in Mogadishu on Saturday to mark World Trauma Day as Somalia contends with 118,000 injuries recorded in 2026.
The event, organised by the Somali Orthopaedic Association under the theme of advancing complex trauma care through strategies to save lives, preserve limbs and reconstruct injured body parts, was held as the Ministry of Health said road accidents, gunshot wounds, knife attacks and other forms of violence continue to place pressure on the country's healthcare services.
World Trauma Day is observed annually on October 17.
Association chairman Yaasiin Barqad said the gathering was intended to bring doctors together to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss more effective approaches to treating trauma patients.
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Dr. Mohamed Abdinur Omar Dalmar, head of the mass casualty department at the Ministry of Health, said the ministry had been working in recent years to strengthen healthcare services.
He added that a national strategy aimed at improving surgery, anaesthesia and related trauma services was nearing completion.
The ministry also noted that accidents remained common, although their numbers had declined compared with previous years.
The commemoration highlighted the need to strengthen emergency response systems, improve medical training and expand the capacity of healthcare facilities to treat patients with serious injuries.