A beneficiary receiving treatment provided by QRCS in Somalia.
Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has completed its medical convoy for general and ENT surgeries in Somalia, organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Somalia, at a total cost of $150,023 (QR547,584).
The two-month project benefited 116 families, or 812 poor patients from internally displaced people (IDPs) at camps and poor families in Mogadishu and other cities. At the De Martini General Hospital in Banaadir, Somalia, the beneficiaries were received by the medical staff, who performed comprehensive clinical examinations for 591 patients and performed 219 surgeries, compared to the original target of 200. Under the project, the patients were interviewed, triaged, and diagnosed at the general and ENT clinics. Following the selection of beneficiaries, they were prioritised based on urgency. Children, older persons, and emergencies were put first on the list.
Post-procedure care, food, and accommodation were provided for the patients, under the supervision of QRCS’s personnel. The project helped largely alleviate the suffering of the patients, as evident in the wide welcome by the local community.
Amna Hassan Mohamed, 55, was one of the beneficiaries. Due to war, she was displaced to the rural parts of Afgooye, southwestern Somalia. As a daily-wage earner, she works as a farmer to support her family of six orphans.
“I would like to thank QRCS for helping me to have the surgery, as well as pre-operative and post-operative examinations and tissue culture. I could not afford treatment. I spent six bitter years of illness, but now, I feel like I am a new person who can live and support my kids. This is a great blessing,” said Amna.
Another beneficiary was Abdullah Abo Ali, 60, who worked as an operating room supervisor for 42 years. In the past 32 years, he had been suffering thyroid disorders, but he was afraid of the surgery because of low success rate.
Now, his thyroid pain is gone. “I feel so happy because I no longer have to cover my neck,” he commented. “Thanks to our brothers in Qatar, QRCS, and the medical staff for helping me and the people of Somalia. May Allah reward you all well,” said Ali.
