September 24, 2023 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country office in Somalia, in partnership with the state Ministry of Health, launched a Mobile Maternity Clinic (MMC) in Kismayo, Somalia. This vital healthcare initiative has been made possible through the generous contributions from the Government of Ireland.

The Mobile Maternity Clinic has been meticulously designed to deliver essential reproductive health services and specifically tailored to meet the needs of pregnant women and mothers within the IDP camp, where no such facility was previously available. The clinic ensures that women have seamless access to quality healthcare throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

A launch ceremony was organized by UNFPA, in collaboration with its implementing partner ARD and the Ministry of Health, to mark the operationalization of the Mobile Maternity Clinic in Kismayo and raise awareness about its availability within the community. Distinguished delegates from the Ministry of Health, various agencies, state media, and members of the local community were present at the event.

During the ceremony, community leaders Asli Omar and Abdinur Ahmed expressed their gratitude for the introduction of a maternity clinic in their Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. They expressed optimism about the potential role and impact of the Mobile Maternity Clinic in improving the health and well-being of mothers and newborns in the IDP population.

DG Hussien Mo’alim of the Ministry of Health conveyed sincere appreciation to UNFPA and the Embassy of Ireland for bringing this life-saving initiative to the community. He emphasized that this endeavor represents a collective commitment and support towards improving maternal and reproductive health in the state.

DG Mo'alim also highlighted the associated outreach services provided by the Mobile Maternity Clinic, emphasizing the importance of community ownership to ensure the sustainability of this service in the long term. He further encouraged active community participation in awareness campaigns, underscoring the significance of collective efforts in promoting and safeguarding the health and well-being of women and girls.

Dr. Abdullahi Abdirasak, representing UNFPA, expressed profound appreciation to the Ministry of Health and, specifically, the Embassy of Ireland for their generous funding of this groundbreaking initiative. Acknowledging the multifaceted challenges faced by Somalia, where crises unfold one after another and the maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high, he emphasized that the operationalization of the Mobile Maternity Clinic in Kismayo marks a significant milestone in enhancing maternal and reproductive healthcare and saving lives of mothers and newborns.

UNFPA Somalia remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with partners, including the Ministry of Health and the Embassy of Ireland, to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in Somalia. The launch of the Mobile Maternity Clinic in Kismayo signifies a significant step towards achieving this objective, and UNFPA Somalia eagerly anticipates witnessing its positive impact on the lives of women and girls in the IDP community.