Farhiyo Abdi – Finding hope and care close to home in Eldhere
Bringing lifesaving maternal and child health services closer to families
Farhiyo Abdi recently delivered her youngest child at Eldheere Health Centre. The mother of three, two daughters and her newborn son, is originally from Camp Shiino and now lives in Eldheere, she relies on the health centre as a vital source of care and support for her growing family.
“The journey to get health care used to be long and difficult,” Farhiyo recalls. “Now, everything I need is nearby, and the staff treat us like family. I feel safe knowing my children are protected and healthy.” She regularly comes to the centre for antenatal check-ups, vaccinations, and child health services, ensuring her children grow up healthy.
Nurse Huriyo, one of the midwives at the health facility, has supported Farhiyo through pregnancy and delivery. “It’s rewarding to see mothers like Farhiyo come here for care,” Huriyo says. “We provide maternal services, immunizations, and health education, and we can do it effectively because the community is invested in managing the facility. Their involvement ensures that services are used properly and that the centre stays sustainable.”
Eldhere Health Centre is a good example of what community ownership can achieve. Local residents helped construct the facility by offering their time, skills, and resources, and they remain deeply involved through committees that oversee daily operations and guide service delivery. Thanks to this community-driven model, families like Farhiyo’s can count on reliable, accessible care whenever they need it.
Through the Better Lives Programme funded by the UK Government, the Galmudug Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, has strengthened the centre with operational supplies and capacity building for health workers to provide essential services such as immunization, basic emergency obstetric care, and integrated management of childhood illnesses. Additionally, the programme has supported the construction of a shaded waiting area for patients, the rehabilitation of four sanitation facilities, and the provision of electronic health record equipment.
“This support allows us to provide safer, more efficient care while keeping the health facility firmly in the hands of the community,” Hodan explains.
For Farhiyo, the facility is more than a health facility, it is a symbol of hope and empowerment. “This centre was built by us, and we continue to care for it,” she says. “It feels good to be part of something that makes life better for everyone in the community.”
Together, mothers like Farhiyo and the community demonstrate how local initiative can change lives and make health services accessible, safe, and reliable.
