Saving lives one delivery at a time with Nurse Idil at Abudwaak Hospital
Providing life-saving care to every mother and newborn in Abudwaak.
At Abudwaak Hospital in central Somalia, nurse Idil Ahmed moves from bed to bed with quiet determination, checking on new mothers and their newborns. Under the Better Lives programme, supported by the UK Government, Idil and her colleagues provide life-saving Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) services that make the difference between life and death.
Idil’s work covers everything, from helping mothers after delivery to checking on newborns, supporting breastfeeding, and making sure every mother and child gets the care they need. “For me, every mother and baby deserves proper care,” Idil says. “I feel responsible for their safety, and I take pride in making sure they get the attention and support they need.”
One story that stands out is that of Adec Abdullahi, a mother in her early thirties. When she arrived at Abudwaak Hospital to give birth, both she and her baby faced serious complications that threatened their lives. The outcome was uncertain. But thanks to the hospital’s 24/7 emergency care, Adec delivered safely. Today, she and her newborn are recovering and healthy.
“This hospital gave my baby and I the care we needed to be alive,” Adec says. “I was worried when I came in, but the staff acted quickly and professionally. Every mother needs this kind of care for herself and her baby.”
At Abudwaak, the impact of such care is evident: maternal and newborn mortality rates in Somalia remain among the highest in the world, yet facilities like this are changing that reality. Nurses and doctors provide 24/7 comprehensive care, including postnatal checks, vaccinations, and newborn resuscitation, services that are critical in a region where access to quality healthcare can be limited.
Idil emphasizes that every day brings new challenges, but also new rewards. “Seeing a mother leave the hospital with a healthy baby reminds me of why I chose this profession. It is not just a job; it is a calling.”
Through support from the Better Lives project, Abudwaak Hospital keeps its doors open to mothers like Adec, ensuring safe deliveries and giving newborns the strong start they deserve. With each delivery and postnatal check, trained healthcare workers are ensuring that mothers and babies in Somalia get lifesaving support when they need it.
