Abudwaak, Galmudug — In a transformative step for maternal and child health in central Somalia, Abudwaak Hospital has begun offering round-the-clock emergency care services, bringing renewed hope to families who once faced long and perilous journeys in search of medical help.
The upgrade, made possible through the Better Lives programme supported by the British Embassy in Somalia, has already begun saving lives in a community that has long suffered from limited access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care.
For years, women in Abudwaak and its surrounding villages endured the painful uncertainty of childbirth without proper medical supervision. Many were forced to travel for hours on rough roads to reach the nearest functioning hospital — a journey that often ended in tragedy.
“Before, we could only provide daytime services due to lack of equipment and staff. Now, with support from the Better Lives programme, we have trained personnel, adequate supplies, and power for 24-hour emergency operations. It has changed everything,” said Dr. Hassan Farah, the hospital’s medical director.
Since the expansion of services, the hospital’s maternity ward has seen a rise in safe deliveries, and neonatal survival rates have improved markedly. Mothers who previously feared giving birth at night now have confidence that skilled medical teams are ready to assist at any hour.
The Better Lives programme, funded by the United Kingdom, focuses on improving essential health services, strengthening local health systems, and reducing preventable deaths among women and children across Somalia. The initiative works closely with local authorities to ensure sustainability and build community ownership.
British Ambassador to Somalia, Michael Nithavrianakis, praised the development, calling it “a powerful example of how local leadership and international partnership can deliver real, life-saving impact.”
Abudwaak Hospital’s new 24-hour emergency care facility stands as a symbol of resilience and progress — a reminder that, even in regions long affected by conflict and neglect, meaningful change is possible when communities are supported to care for their own.
As the lights of the hospital glow through the Abudwaak night, they now represent more than just electricity — they represent safety, dignity, and a future where no mother must face childbirth alone.