When Edna’s Maternity Hospital was founded some 25 years ago, its primary mission was to help reduce
the rate of maternal mortality in Somaliland, which at the time was amongst the highest in the world. We can all
be proud of the progress that has been made: with improved obstetrical care, expanded training of midwives, and
growth of health facilities throughout the country, Somaliland’s national maternal mortality rate has dropped from
an estimated 1600 maternal deaths per 100,000 deliveries in 1997 to approximately 500 per 100,000 in 2021. But
huge challenges still remain. WHO recently reported that the steady decline in worldwide maternal mortality
rates documented since 2000 has recently stalled or even been reversed in many countries—including developed
ones—as a consequence of the Covid pandemic and the multiple humanitarian crises witnessed across the globe.
For Somaliland, the gains of recent decades are being slowed by prolonged drought, which has resulted in severe,
sometimes fatal malnutrition, anemia, and post-partum hemorrhage in mothers, and the loss of many babies to
premature births.
Our previous newsletter reported on the number of health professionals (319) graduated by the Edna
University in October 2022. While the majority of the graduates will be taking up employment in hospitals,
clinics, and mother-child health centers throughout Somaliland and beyond, the Edna Hospital itself continues to
grow its staff and range of services. To give our readers an idea of the scale of activities, during 2022 the
Hospital treated 44,920 patients, and 53,800 laboratory and X-ray tests were administered; 2080 mothers gave
birth to 2113 babies; and 248 patients received additional surgery in the hospital’s operating theaters.
Beyond the ‘routine’ work of delivering and caring for mothers and their newborns, the Hospital treated 222
patients for dengue fever in 2022. The outbreak of dengue was unprecedented for Somaliland—some experts
related it to rising temperatures from global warming—and reminds us that Edna’s Hospital staff must always be
ready for the unexpected. Earlier in 2022, as noted above, it was an upsurge in drought-related cases of
malnutrition, while civil conflict in parts of eastern Somaliland has brought dozens of victims to emergency units
in Hargeisa and elsewhere across the country. While risks from Covid have thankfully receded, the Hospital
remains vigilant about potential new variants. All of these challenges have necessitated more outreach visits by
trained health workers to communities in isolated villages.
Following the dissolution of The Edna Adan Hospital Foundation last year, Friends has assumed
responsibility for managing most of the charitable grants directed by various foundations to Edna’s ongoing
medical training programs. Donations to the Friends have more than doubled in the past year, which has enabled
us to pledge additional funds for upgrading the Hospital’s laboratories and infant intensive care units. Our Board
has also agreed to provide 3 fellowships annually for the training of nurse midwives from poor households and
underserved communities, ensuring that opportunities for careers in health care will be available to any qualified
Somalilander regardless of family income.
As Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days approach, we ask once again that you consider making a donation in honor of
a parent (living or deceased) to help Edna deliver state-of-the art care to newborns and their mothers throughout
Somaliland. We renew our thanks to those who have been contributing faithfully to Edna’s mission over the
years, and we look forward to welcoming new Friends to our family of supporters. On behalf of Edna, her team,
and the countless families they serve, Friends extends its profound gratitude.
Dr. Lee Cassanelli, President of the Board, Friends of Edna’s Maternity Hospital.