Mogadishu, Somalia – The Ministry of Health has opened an investigation after disturbing footage showing a woman in labor lying on the ground outside Mogadishu’s Banadir Hospital went viral on Thursday night, sparking public outrage and questions about accountability in the nation’s public health system.
The short video, filmed at the main entrance of the hospital, shows the woman writhing in pain as another woman desperately calls for help. A man’s voice can be heard in the background claiming that the woman had been denied entry despite being in active labor. The footage quickly spread across Somali social media platforms, igniting anger and disbelief among citizens who view Banadir Hospital as a symbol of hope for mothers and children in distress.
Banadir Hospital, established in 1976 with support from the Chinese government, is the country’s leading referral facility for maternal and pediatric care. Its services are meant to be free of charge, funded jointly by the Somali government and international partners, including UN agencies. However, reports in recent years have indicated that some patients are asked to pay what the hospital terms “service charges,” a policy previously acknowledged by Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adan as part of cost-sharing efforts.
The Ministry of Health has vowed to identify those responsible for what it called a “grave breach of duty and human dignity.” The incident has reopened debate over Somalia’s fragile health infrastructure, the treatment of poor patients in public hospitals, and the long-standing gap between policy and practice.
For many Somalis, the footage represents more than just an isolated act of neglect—it reflects the daily struggles of ordinary citizens navigating a healthcare system strained by underfunding, corruption, and systemic inefficiencies. As the investigation proceeds, public demand for accountability remains high, with many hoping this tragedy will force long-overdue reforms in the country’s most vital hospital.
