The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has commenced the construction of a 68-bed health facility for soldiers and officers of the Somali National Army (SNA).
The project is being implemented under the Early Recovery and Stabilisation programme with support from the government of Italy.
Under the programme, AMISOM undertakes quick impact projects such as construction of schools, health facilities, police stations, safe water projects, and provides tools of work to the Somali security forces.
AMISOM is rebuilding the old SNA hospital, which is also known as Isbitaalka Xoogga, in Mogadishu. The Isbitaalka Xoogga, built in the 1960s, was destroyed during the years of Somalia’s civil war.
‘This hospital is not only going to be a referral facility for the army but should be developed into a research and development facility for the army’, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Simon Mulongo, said at the site of the project.
‘The world over, the military provides a step ahead of everybody in identifying challenges to their communities through research and development.
‘Issues of new diseases, new health challenges, we look to the military to give us answers even before the civilian community does so’.
The SNA hospital project commenced following a request made by the Somalia Chief of Defence Forces for a health facility for members of Somalia’s military.
According to AMISOM’s civil engineer, Andrew Alele, construction of the facility will be undertaken by Deeqa Construction and Water Well Drilling Company.
He also said that the construction will take about six months and would include a modern kitchen, laundry, administration, and storage areas.
Somalia Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Odowaaa Yusuf, said the request for a military hospital came out of the need for specialised medical equipment and health personnel to address the various health challenges faced by the men and women in uniform.
‘In the past, this hospital not only provided services to military personnel but also catered for the civilian population. Now, we will have the 68-bed facility to cater for the military’, he said.
Also speaking was Italy’s Ambassador to Somalia, Alberto Vecchi, who noted his country’s commitment to supporting the reconstruction and stabilisation of Somalia.
‘Now we are here putting down the first stone of this project that will serve to protect the brave and efficient soldiers of the SNA’, Vecchi said.
Source: AMISOM
Photo source: AMISOM
