HARGEISA, Somaliland (HornPost) President of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Irro announces 12 new kidney dialysis machines at Hargeisa General Hospital and plans to expand dialysis services to Borama, Burco and Erigavo.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Monday visited the kidney dialysis unit at Hargeisa General Hospital, where 12 new dialysis machines have been added following complaints from patients over the availability and quality of kidney treatment services.
The presidential visit and the installation of the new equipment were announced in a statement issued by the Somaliland Presidency.
President Irro inspected the newly expanded dialysis services and received a detailed briefing from hospital officials about the condition of the unit and the services provided to patients.
During the visit, the president also met patients receiving dialysis treatment and asked about their health conditions, access to treatment and the challenges they face.
President Irro: Government Has Responded to Kidney Patients’ Concerns
President Irro said his administration had responded to concerns raised by kidney patients and pledged to make the development of kidney care services a priority within the government’s broader health care agenda.
“We have responded to the concerns of patients undergoing kidney dialysis,” President Irro said.
The addition of the 12 machines is part of a government commitment to expand kidney dialysis services at hospitals across Somaliland and improve access to essential medical equipment, medicines and treatment for patients whose lives depend on regular dialysis.
Speaking about the new equipment installed at Hargeisa General Hospital, President Irro said:
“We have added 12 operational machines to Hargeisa Hospital.”
The president said health care should be treated as a national responsibility and that his government was committed to ensuring that citizens have access to quality medical services.
He also said investment in health care should go beyond addressing immediate needs and focus on building a sustainable health system capable of serving both the current population and future generations.
Dialysis Services Planned for Borama, Burco and Erigavo
President Irro said the government plans to expand kidney dialysis services beyond Hargeisa.
He said additional dialysis machines and services would be made available at hospitals in Borama and Burco, while a dedicated kidney dialysis unit is also expected to be established at Erigavo General Hospital in the near future.
“We plan in the near future to open a kidney dialysis unit at the hospital in Erigavo,” Irro said.
In a separate statement, the president said:
“The kidney dialysis units will be opened in the cities of Borama, Erigavo and Burco.”
The planned expansion would give patients outside Hargeisa greater access to dialysis treatment and could reduce the need for patients from other regions to travel to the capital for regular treatment.
Health Minister Calls for Kidney Transplant Center
Somaliland Health Minister Dr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi said the number of people suffering from kidney-related illnesses is increasing, placing additional pressure on the ministry and existing dialysis services.
He described dialysis as a temporary treatment and said the government should work toward establishing a kidney transplant center as a longer-term solution for patients with serious kidney disease.
“The burden on us is increasing, and the number of people suffering from kidney disease is growing significantly,” Hirsi said.
He added:
“Kidney dialysis is a temporary solution, and we want to establish a place where kidney transplants can be performed, working together with you, Mr. President. That would help us address the growing needs of people whose lives depend on kidney dialysis.”
The health minister called on President Irro to support efforts to establish kidney transplantation services in Somaliland, arguing that such a program could significantly reduce the long-term dependence of patients on dialysis.
Hargeisa Hospital Says New Machines Address Immediate Demand
Dr. Ahmed-Wali Dahir Haddi, director of Hargeisa Government Hospital, said the 12 new dialysis machines had addressed the immediate shortage that had affected patients using the hospital’s kidney treatment unit.
He said there were no longer complaints or outstanding grievances concerning the dialysis unit following the expansion.
“We have received 12 new kidney dialysis machines, and today the shortage that existed when the patients raised their concerns has been resolved,” Haddi said.
He added that hospital staff were ready to continue providing services to patients and the wider public.
The hospital director also thanked President Irro for supporting the expansion of the kidney dialysis unit.
Background: Patients Previously Protested Dialysis Services
The expansion follows complaints and a protest by kidney patients receiving dialysis treatment at Hargeisa General Hospital.
Patients had publicly raised concerns about the services available at the hospital and called for improvements to kidney dialysis treatment and access to essential equipment.
The government’s decision to install 12 additional machines represents a direct response to those complaints and is intended to increase the hospital’s capacity to provide regular dialysis treatment.
The move also comes as Somaliland faces growing demand for kidney-related medical services, according to the health minister.
While the new machines are expected to ease pressure on Hargeisa General Hospital, the government’s stated plans to expand dialysis units to Borama, Burco and Erigavo would represent a wider effort to decentralize kidney care and bring specialized medical services closer to patients across Somaliland.
The Health Ministry’s proposal for a kidney transplant center could eventually provide a more permanent treatment option for eligible patients and reduce reliance on long-term dialysis.
The developments highlight the Somaliland government’s focus on expanding specialized health services while responding to demands from patients and health care providers.
Prepared by:
HornPost staff
HARGEISA, Somaliland
