Somali Children’s Lives Transformed After Hearing Surgeries

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Health Minister on Saturday welcomed home 15 children who regained their hearing after undergoing groundbreaking surgeries abroad, marking a significant leap forward for the country’s healthcare ambitions.

The children, aged between three and six, touched down at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport following successful medical procedures organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam, flanked by senior health officials and representatives from the International Relief for the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged (IRVD), described the moment as a “turning point” in Somalia’s efforts to deliver specialized medical care to its most vulnerable citizens.

“This proud day proves what is possible through partnership, vision, and determination,” Dr. Adam said at the airport ceremony. “It is the first step in a wider campaign to transform healthcare for all Somali people.”

The children, born with congenital hearing impairments, underwent surgeries that restored their ability to hear, a procedure still largely inaccessible within Somalia due to decades of conflict and underinvestment in the health sector.

The Ministry of Health pledged to continue expanding access to specialized treatments, particularly for children, women, and the elderly, as part of its broader mission to build an inclusive and resilient healthcare system nationwide.

The surgeries not only restored hearing but symbolized hope for a country rebuilding its essential services after years of hardship.