Somali doctors provide free eye surgery in Ceeldheer for first time since 2005
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Somali doctors led by Dr. Ahmed Xalaal launched a free eye care campaign at Ceeldheer District Hospital in the Galguduud region of Somalia on October 31.
The initiative offers consultations, treatments, and surgeries to residents who have not had access to local ophthalmology services for over two decades. Hospital director Abdullahi Osman Hassan Xagaleey stated that the medical team provides these services at no cost to the community. The campaign aims to treat and operate on up to 300 patients.
By the second day of the program, nearly 500 people had already registered for consultations. This local effort fills a gap in a district that faces various service shortages due to its distance from major centers and past security issues. The program stands out because it relies on Somali doctors volunteering their time rather than relying on international organizations. The government's Essential Package of Health Services currently classifies eye care as a sector receiving minimal funding.
This initiative marks the first time local residents have had access to such surgeries since a 2005 campaign by an Italian humanitarian group and Kenyan doctors.
