Somali children set for Italy heart surgery
Hormuud Foundation Director Abdullahi Osman and Italian Ambassador to Somalia Pier Marion Dacco Coppi deliberate at an event where Somali children were flown to Milan for specialised treatment.
What you need to know:
- The minors will undergo essential treatment and surgery at a Milan hospital courtesy of Hormuud Salaam Foundation.
- The initiative involves collaboration between an Italian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Somali community association.
The first batch of Somali minors with heart ailments have left Mogadishu for Italy for specialised treatment.
Treatment and surgery
The minors will undergo essential treatment and surgery at a Milan hospital courtesy of Hormuud Salaam Foundation.
The initiative involves collaboration between an Italian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Somali community association dubbed “Mother and Child Care,” Niguarda Hospital, the Lombardy Region, and the Hormuud Salaam Foundation.
The event was graced by Pier Marion Dacco Coppi, the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, Abdullahi Omaan, Hormuud Salaam Foundation Chief Executive and Abdullahi Aseyr the Director Welcare Hospital.
This is the first of two such projects. An additional 15 children will depart for Milan in May 2024 as part of 119 children in need of critical care according to the nonprofit organization.
Somali women hold their babies before making the trip from Mogadishu to Italy for specialised treatment.
"This initiative aims to send 15 children this month, as they are part of a larger cohort of 119 children in need of critical care," statement from the foundation read.
The medical mission is collaborated between the Lombardy regional government, which covers the medical expenses and Hormuud Salaam Foundation which will cater for travel, supplies, and living expenses for the children and their families during their stay in Italy.
Financial support
The Hormuud Salaam Foundation expressed gratitude to Adna Moalim Abdirahman for her pivotal role in the success of this lifesaving initiative, the Italian government for the significant financial support and the Somali Ministry of Health for their collaboration.
HSF is a non-profit organisation fully funded by Hormuud Telecom, Salaam Somali Bank, Taaj Money Transfer and Buruuj Constructions Company and was established in 2013 as the first corporate foundation in Somalia.
Since then, it has grown to become Somalia’s largest private philanthropic organisation and have played a significant part in Somalia’s development.
