The Anesthesiology Nurse conducting an on job training for a local nurse at the HGH hospital. © IOM/Mohamed Mohamoud 2015

Hargeisa Group Hospital (HGH) is the National hospital in the Republic of Somaliland and also the teaching hospital for medical universities in Hargeisa. It is the largest referral hospital in Hargeisa where many patients visit to seek medical services. The hospital’s capacity to deliver better medical services was significantly low due to the limited number of qualified medical practitioners.

To address this issue, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the Migration for Development in Africa – Finland Somalia (MIDA FINNSOM) project recruited 13 Somali diaspora medical practitioners for HGH to temporarily return to their home country and contribute to the improvement of medical care. The diaspora experts were placed in 8 different departments within the Hospital including; Administration, Surgery and Orthopedic, Laboratory, Pediatric, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Obstetrician and Gynecology, Abdominal ultrasound and Dental Units.

MIDA FINNSOM Laboratory specialist training a junior Laboratory nurses at HGH. © IOM/Mohamed Mohamoud 2015

Through the implementation of the MIDA FINNSOM project,  44 local colleagues have been trained through Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, 36 training/workshops conducted and several  operational frameworks were developed including; drug management protocol, emergency preparedness plan, waste management and infection control policy, infection control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and antenatal care guideline. Above all, the experts implemented an effective behavioral change programs to improve the overall performance of the hospital.

The MIDA FINNSOM Gynecologist counselling a pregnant Mother at the HGH maternity ward. © IOM/Mohamed Mohamoud 2015

The Hospital Administrator reported that, the hospital has progressively improved and is now in a position to independently cover the day to day financial costs as well as the staff monthly allowances. Moreover, the image and public trust of the Hospital services has significantly improved. The trend of patients admission has increased by 65% as confirmed by the Hospital Director Dr. Ahmed Askar (MIDA FIINNSOM participant) “MIDA FINNSOM experts have made a remarkable change to the quality of services delivered by the hospital. I can confirm that today the number of patients visiting this hospital has increased by 65%. Thanks to MIDA FINNSOM, everything is slowly but progressively changing”.

The Neonatal and Child Health Specialists training a Nurse on proper hand washing techniques at the HGH. © IOM/Mohamed Mohamoud 2015

Beneficiary quote

“Due to a car accident, my leg has broken. I was quite hesitant when first admitted to this hospital due to poor medical care but I had no other choice. I was admitted to male surgical wards, where Mr Ahmed, a FINNSOM recruited Nurse (Anesthesiology) operates. Thanks to his continuous care and treatment my leg is now in a better condition. I don’t know what I would do if he was not there” Said by one patient.

The Anesthesiology Nurse checking on a patient with a broken leg. © IOM/Mohamed Mohamoud 2015