Bossaso Stabilization Center provides life-saving support to mothers and children
UNICEF began supporting Bossaso Stabilization Centre in 2008
UNICEF began supporting Bossaso Stabilization Centre in 2008 after MSF-Spain closed its office in Bossaso and UNICEF stepped in to provide incentives to the health workers and supplies. UNICEF also supported the training of the staff including the medical doctor.
Mothers are attended to at the stabilization center. The centre treats children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) with medical complications from the IDP and host community.
When the child’s medical complication is stabilized, the child is transferred to the transition phase where he/she will be placed on F100 therapeutic milk. During the transition phase, the child will receive an increased amount of F100 and antibiotics are continued until the medical complication is addressed.
In addition to treating children, the center provides the mothers or caretakers a daily home cooked meal throughout the duration of their stay, which averages about 7-10 days.
The 14 professional staff that operate the stabilization centre include nurses, nutrition assistants and doctors. The staff have formed a unique bond with the patients. “The staff here are very professional and the environment at this clinic is quite serene, my child has been well taken care of” says Hawa who brought her three-month-old child. “It is almost like a second home, thanks to the nurses who have made me feel at home.”
Meet Hassan, who is the storekeeper at the center. He has been here for several years and has been diligently carrying out his responsibilities of making sure the supplies are well kept and utilized, an important role in the overall success of the centre. Hassan ensures there is a record of the supplies and reports monthly on their status, a job he takes quite seriously.
“I am grateful to the nurses and doctors for the care and support they have provided my child,” says Amran. “I have received quality services at no cost. As a displaced mother with no means of income and in a new town, this was such a welcome relief.”
The staff at the centre display an unwavering passion for what they do, despite working in often challenging conditions. The community in the area feels reassured that someone is there to lend an ear, and to support them in difficult times. Hearing words of encouragement from their patients as well as seeing the smiles of the children they treat keeps their spirits high, no matter the challenges.
UNICEF supports the stabilization centre with funding from the US Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
