Sunday November 9, 2025
Mogadishu (HO) — Somali Minister of Health and Social
Welfare, Dr. Ali Haji Aden, appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on
Social Services on Sunday to answer questions regarding the recent incident in
which a woman gave birth on the steps of Banadir Hospital after reportedly
being denied admission while in labor.
During the session, Minister Aden briefed lawmakers on the
details of the case and responded to their questions. He also presented an
overview of Banadir Hospital’s services, which include maternal and child
healthcare, general medicine, emergency response, malnutrition treatment, and
management of HIV and cancer cases.
Addressing ongoing challenges, the Minister highlighted staff
shortages in relation to the high number of patients as a key issue
contributing to delays in service delivery.
Following the meeting, the Parliamentary Committee on Social
Services conducted an oversight visit to Banadir Maternity and Children’s
Hospital, where members toured various departments and spoke directly with
patients.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Nadra Salah Abdi pledged
continued oversight of both the Banadir Hospital case and the broader
performance of public hospitals across the country.
On Friday, Minister Aden appointed Abdirisaaq Sharif Ali as
the new Director General of Banadir Maternity and Child Hospital, following the
incident.
The Ministry also announced that several staff members on
duty the night of the incident have been suspended, pending the outcome of an
independent investigation. Additional administrative changes are expected to
ensure accountability and transparency.
The leadership reshuffle comes amid a formal government
investigation into the October 26 incident, which sparked national outrage.
Witnesses reported that the woman was turned away despite being in active labor
and later gave birth at the hospital gate with the help of an elderly passerby.
Both the mother and newborn were said to be in critical condition.
The case has ignited public outcry and renewed calls for
systemic reform within Somalia’s overstretched healthcare system, which has
long faced challenges of mismanagement, underfunding, and resource shortages.