Damal Cafimaad: WARDI Reopens Jalalaqsi District Hospital 30 Years Later
Jalalaqsi, Somalia, April 18 – Hundreds of residents of Jalalaqsi district gathered at Jalalaqsi District Hospital to witness the historic reopening of the local hospital.
The hospital has been out of service for several years. As the locals watched on, they couldn’t hide their excitement, occasionally bursting into ululations, their eyes full of hope that the hospital would reduce their tedious journeys in such of healthcare.
Shortly after cutting the ribbon to symbolize the rebirth of the hospital, the chief guest, Jalalaqsi District Commissioner Nur Mohamed Absuge, popularly known as Nur Dheere, narrated the harrowing and grueling experiences of patients as he underscored the significance of the hospital to the community.
“The community in this area used to travel long distances to seek the much-needed healthcare services in neighboring areas. I would sometimes be forced to make phone calls to other commissioners and security leaders to allow expectant mothers in labor to seek maternity services late at night. This hospital will put an end to that misery.
Damal Cafimaad Project
The Jalalaqsi District General Hospital is supported by the Damal Cafimaad Project, funded by the Federal Government of Somalia in partnership with Save the Children and implemented by Wardi Relief and Development Initiatives.
The project aims to improve healthcare services in Somalia, particularly in the Hiran region, Hirshabelle State.
In addition to providing general healthcare, the hospital also provides Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEMONC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC).
The Jalalaqsi District Hospital
This comes as a relief to thousands of women and children who make dangerous journeys hundreds of kilometers across insecure territories to get medical treatment, often during emergencies at odd hours of the night.
“We once had a case of a woman who had difficulties at birth. She was in labor and the baby got stuck mid-way. There wasn’t any other hospital that we could take her to. The roads were flooded. The baby died a horrible death,” remembered Jalalaqsi Deputy District Commissioner Ibrahim Madoobe Nur.
According to Jalalaqsi Women Union Chairperson Mama Gacalo Hajji, the desperate journeys they make in search of these basic services are dangerous and sometimes costs them lives.
“I want to thank WARDI and its partners for bringing these services closer to us because these desperate journeys are difficult, and people sometimes lose their lives in the process,” she said.
Healthcare in Jalalaqsi
Providing primary health care is crucial in the Jalalaqsi district and the Hiran region at large. Nearly 30 percent of children in this district are malnourished and basic immunization services are not easily available.
It is estimated that this hospital will serve an average population of over 100,000 people.
On his part, WARDI’s Damal Cafimaad Supervisor Dr. Asad Abdullahi Mohamed welcomed the residents with open arms and urged them to make good use of the hospital and its resources.
“We are excited to reopen this facility nearly 30 years since it stopped operations.” He continued, “The hospital is fully equipped to serve you. We intend to work closely with you (the local community) to give you better medical services.”
WARDI acknowledges that healthcare is a fundamental human right and is thus committed to promoting access to free and quality healthcare in our community.
For media inquiries, please contact;
Ubah Bulle, Communication and Fundraising Manager, WARDI via ubahbulle@wardirelief.org
or
Musa Salah, Communication Officer, WARDI via communications@wardirelief.org
