A path of compassion: A doctor’s journey in Somalia
By Mursal Ali Ahmed
Dr. Hodan Ali Shire was only 10 when her younger sister contracted meningitis and was admitted to a hospital in Somalia’s Puntland State.
“She was unconscious," Dr. Hodan recalled.
The hospital lacked adequate equipment, and the staff were not properly trained to handle critical cases. Fortunately, her sister survived after spending more than a month in the hospital, but the harrowing experience shaped Dr. Hodan’s future.
She explained: "It shifted my dream of a career as a graphic designer to pursuing my passion for medicine."
Fast forward 15 years and Dr. Hodan now leads the Garowe Referral Hospital – the same hospital that once struggled to help her family. Since 2020, as the hospital’s Director, she has made patient care the top priority. Appointed by the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Hodan’s leadership is shaped by her childhood experience.
Renovation and transformation
The hospital recently completed its three-year renovation project, using funds from humanitarian partners and donors.
It serves approximately 1 million people in Garowe and the surrounding Nugaal region, and offers free services across various departments, including delivery, paediatrics, nutrition and HIV care. It’s also a sanctuary for vulnerable people, especially internally displaced families living in and around Garowe district.
In 2023, the hospital handled 4,354 inpatient cases and 18,794 outpatient cases, and helped deliver 2,052 babies.
With a team of 182 dedicated staff and numerous volunteers, Dr. Hodan encourages a collaborative environment focused on the community’s well-being.
She implemented comprehensive training programmes for staff, ensuring they understand the importance of compassion and respect in patient care. "Negligence can result in horrible outcomes," she shared.
Challenges and choices
In one hospital ward, Mama Rowdo sat with her sick daughter, Nimo, having travelled 8 hours from Buhoodle, in the Togdheer region, to seek care.
"This is my sixth day in the hospital and my baby is improving; she opened her eyes today," Mama Rowdo said.
Stories like hers highlight the hospital’s vital role in the community.
Dr. Hodan’s journey has not been without its challenges. She recalls an incident involving a young pregnant woman, who was in critical condition during labour.
"After examination, we determined that a cesarean section was the only viable option," she recounted. However, the woman’s father refused to consent and threatened to hold the hospital liable, demanding 200 camels in compensation if the operation failed.
Faced with a difficult choice, Dr. Hodan proceeded with the operation, prioritizing the lives at stake.
"With Allah’s help, both the mother and the baby survived," she reflected.
The experience underscored the critical need for awareness around maternal and child health, particularly among men.
Vision for the future
Plans are under way to complete an intensive care unit, with nine beds and a kidney dialysis section, and to procure a CT scan machine.
"Once these projects are completed, we hope to better serve the many patients seeking treatment at our hospital," Dr. Hodan said.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Hodan expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and commitment of humanitarian partners: “Without their assistance, the successes would not have been possible. Their dedication empowers the hospital to serve the community more effectively.”
Crispen Rukasha, OCHA Somalia’s Head of Office, said: "The health and well-being of people, especially internally displaced people and low-income communities living in vulnerable conditions, must be a top priority for us all. “OCHA is committed to coordinating humanitarian assistance, including access to primary health care, to ensure no one is left behind. We call on donors to continue their vital support for health initiatives.”