Thursday September 4, 2025
Dr. Bashir Moallin, founder of Hayat Clinic, a primary care clinic in St. Cloud, is pictured on Friday. The clinic aims to serve underserved and underinsured populations, including the community’s immigrant population. Hayat is an Arabic word meaning "life."Kirsti Marohn | MPR News
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (HOL) — A Somali-American physician is tackling barriers to health care in central Minnesota, where thousands of immigrant families face language, cultural and financial obstacles to treatment.
Hayat Clinic, founded by Dr. Bashir Moallin in 2023, served more than 4,500 patients in its first year. The primary care practice, open seven days a week, has become a crucial provider for St. Cloud’s East African community.
Moallin, who grew up in Mogadishu and trained in Jordan before completing a residency at the University of Minnesota with CentraCare, said many immigrant workers could not afford weekday absences from their jobs. Weekend hours, he said, were essential.
“I knew there was a need for primary care service during the weekend,” Moallin said. “At that time, there was not any other clinic that provided primary care during the weekend.”
The clinic is located in a strip mall already popular with Somali-owned businesses and a pharmacy, making transportation easier for patients. Inside, five exam rooms and a small lab allow staff to process tests for common illnesses such as strep throat, influenza and RSV.
Language access is a cornerstone of Hayat’s work. Nurses and medical assistants speak Somali, Arabic, Swahili and English. That direct communication, said nurse Hodan Yussuf, helps patients feel understood without relying on interpreters.
Preventive care is another focus. Moallin said he often explains why screenings for diabetes, cancer and other conditions are necessary — a practice uncommon in Somalia, where many people seek care only when gravely ill.
The clinic also plays a role in tackling vaccine hesitancy. As a medical resident during the COVID-19 pandemic, Moallin appeared on Somali-language television to emphasize vaccine safety. Today, he reassures parents by noting that his own children are immunized.
“Sometimes I can see the ease in their face. And most of them, they accept and do the vaccine,” he said.
Still, financial hurdles persist. Up to 20 percent of Hayat’s patients lack insurance, while most others rely on government assistance. Moallin warned that potential changes to Medicare and Medicaid could further limit access.
Despite the challenges, he remains committed to growth, including plans to add mental health services. Some of his young patients, inspired by the clinic, have even expressed interest in becoming health professionals.
“As long as we have patients, we will be here,” Moallin said.