Basic health care for mothers and children

In Somalia, maternal and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the world. Garowe is the capital of the Nugaal region and the administrative capital of Puntland State in northeastern Somalia. The population of Garowe is estimated at 400,000 people. There is only one public clinic in the west of the city.

To improve the care of the poor and disadvantaged in the population, especially former nomads displaced by drought and those who fled the civil war in southern Somalia (internally displaced), a local women’s organization built a simple health center. The center was in a desolate state: there was hardly any equipment and the staff was demotivated as a result.

Through several projects and with the support of partner organizations, Somcare succeeded in modernizing this health center with a solar system and medical equipment and significantly improving the health care of the residents of the Waberi, Camp Shabeele and Camp Jibagale districts in Garowe, Somalia, which are part of the health center’s catchment area in the eastern part of the city.

The small health center now serves three communities in Garowe, Somalia. Despite the delay, we see that the project ( EZ Small Projects Fund ) has achieved its most important goal. Child and maternal mortality has been reduced from 25% to 2%. Working conditions for health workers have improved considerably and three disadvantaged communities have basic care. Our thanks go to Schmitz Foundation, SEZ-Baden Württemberg, RKH Kliniken von Bruchsal and Engagement Global.