Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), in co-operation with the Somalia ministry of health has launched general and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries’ campaign in the country at a cost of $150,023 (QR547,584).
The project is part of the year-round medical convoys programme implemented by QRCS in poor countries to bridge the gap in resources required for providing adequate healthcare services for their populations.
The 15-day project is aimed at providing surgical services for patients with critical cases, by hiring highly experienced surgeons from out of the country to perform general and ENT surgeries at the De Martini General Hospital in Banaadir, Somalia.
According to the action plan, the project involves performing surgeries for 200 poor patients, supplying some medical equipment for the host hospital to continue offering high quality medical services after the project, and training the hospital’s local medical professionals as extra practice to improve their proficiency and ensure continuity of service in the target regions.
A team of general surgeon, ENT surgeon, anesthetist, and perioperative nurse was deployed. So far, they have performed 79 clinical examinations and 24 operations, with two referrals to specialised centres for pathology tests.
Somalia lacks specialised medical services, particularly in general and ENT surgery. As a result, many people suffer health issues, especially those affected by conflict zones in Mogadishu and outskirts.
In response to this humanitarian emergency, QRCS’ representation mission in Somalia launched this surgical convoy, hiring foreign surgeons to work with the local physicians on treatment of the beneficiaries.
Earlier this year, QRCS concluded two general surgery campaigns in Somalia. Over one month, a total of 867 patients were examined and given medications by specialised physicians.
The surgeons performed 201 major and moderate operations, including critical and emergency cases that required immediate surgical intervention.
