HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn Post) President of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro visited the dialysis unit at Hargeisa General Hospital, promising reforms and improved healthcare services after patients raised concerns over treatment conditions.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) has pledged swift action to improve kidney dialysis services at Hargeisa General Hospital, following public complaints from patients over shortages of medical equipment and concerns about healthcare delivery.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency of Somaliland, President Irro made an early morning visit to the hospital’s dialysis unit, where he met patients individually and listened to their concerns about the challenges they face in accessing treatment.
The visit came days after kidney dialysis patients publicly complained about shortages of medical supplies and equipment, sparking widespread debate over healthcare services in Somaliland.
President Promises Reforms
During the visit, President Irro stressed that access to quality healthcare is a national responsibility and said the government would not tolerate poor governance or inadequate public services.
“There will be no tolerance for mismanagement or poor public service delivery,” the president said, according to the official statement.
The president also received a detailed briefing from the Director General of Hargeisa General Hospital on the operational status of the dialysis unit, existing shortages, and the challenges facing the life-saving service.
He pledged that the government would move quickly to address the needs of the dialysis department, particularly by improving the availability of dialysis machines, medical supplies, and other essential equipment required to maintain treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease.
However, the presidency’s statement did not indicate that new dialysis machines were delivered during the visit. Instead, President Irro committed the government to improving the department and resolving the issues raised by patients.
Opposition Parties Donate Dialysis Machines
As the healthcare debate intensified, Somaliland’s opposition parties announced separate donations to support the dialysis unit.
The opposition KULMIYE Party donated two dialysis machines to Hargeisa General Hospital.
KULMIYE Deputy Chairman Abdicasis Samale said the party’s previous administration under former President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo) established the hospital’s dialysis unit and expressed hope that the current government would continue expanding and improving the service.
Meanwhile, the opposition KAAH Party donated one dialysis machine, funded through party contributions.
KAAH Chairman Mahmoud Hashi Abdi called on Somaliland’s business community to support patients by contributing additional medical equipment and resources.
Political Debate Continues
The issue has also become a point of political contention.
Mahmoud Hashi criticized the government’s handling of the situation, saying it was “unfortunate” that the Council of Ministers had not discussed the patients’ complaints during its recent meeting.
The government has maintained that improving healthcare services remains a priority, while opposition parties have urged faster action to address shortages affecting vulnerable patients.
Healthcare Under Public Scrutiny
The dialysis controversy has intensified public attention on Somaliland’s healthcare system, particularly the availability of specialized treatment for patients requiring regular dialysis.
The president’s visit and the opposition parties’ donations underscore the growing national focus on improving public health services as demand for specialized medical care continues to increase.
Editor’s Note: According to the official statement from the Somaliland Presidency, President Irro pledged to improve the dialysis unit and address patients’ concerns. The statement did not say that new dialysis machines were delivered during the visit. Opposition parties KULMIYE and KAAH separately announced donations of dialysis machines to Hargeisa General Hospital.
