For years, Jamaame’s residents faced a painful reality: basic healthcare was out of reach. With few facilities, limited medical staff, and scarce medicines, families were forced to travel exhausting distances to places like Kismayo and Bula Guduud—some walking for hours. For pregnant women, the risks were even greater, often ending in tragedy.
“I remember women giving birth on the road because they couldn’t make it in time,” shared Aisha Haji, a resident of Wirkoy Village. “It’s been heartbreaking.”
Recognizing this urgent need, CaafimaadPlus, in partnership with the Juba Foundation and with funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, established the Wirkoy Health Facility. The center now provides critical maternal and child health services to address long-standing gaps in healthcare access within the community.
The facility offers antenatal and postnatal care, vaccinations, nutrition support, and treatment for common childhood illnesses like malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. For Aisha, who became the first woman to deliver at the center, it has brought immense relief to her and her family.
“I no longer fear what might happen during childbirth. I can deliver safely and protect my baby with vaccines, right here in our village,” Aisha said. Providing timely access to essential healthcare, the facility is expected to significantly reduce preventable deaths in the area.
Residents will no longer face the daunting challenge of traveling long distances for medical care, as the facility now delivers life-saving services directly to their doorstep.
“Now we have the care we need right here,” Aisha added. “This health center means a lot to our community.”
Beyond providing immediate care, the Wirkoy Health Facility will train local health workers, strengthen supply chains, and foster community engagement. These efforts aim to create a sustainable healthcare model that empowers the community to respond to its own health challenges.
Somalia’s ongoing crises, including insecurity and recurrent climatic shocks, have stretched its fragile health infrastructure to the limit. This investment directly addresses these gaps, providing hope to underserved populations and strengthening resilience in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
