(ERGO) – Hamdi Adan Mohamed, a medical doctor in the central Somali town of Adado, sees at least 15 women a day in her clinic that focuses on reproductive healthcare diagnosis and treatment.
By opening the Women Care Clinic just over a year ago, she stepped up to take her position in a male- dominated sector, after working in a general hospital for five years and seeing how women are hesitant to share their problems with male doctors.
“There is a very small number of women doctors,” Dr Hamdi told Radio Ergo. “Women sometimes don’t give full details about their condition or complications because they feel no privacy. This can also affect them mentally.”
More and more women are recommending her services and her patient list is growing. She refers complex health issues to bigger hospital and writes detailed reports to help the women get the help they need without having to go over all the information and tests again.
She opened the clinic with a $5,000 investment from her family and is trying to ensure she can provide a service to those in need whilst making ends meet.
“We are running a private institution not public, and we need funds to operate. Sometimes drought and conflict-hit people visit our clinic and we help them, for instance we don’t charge them any consultation fee and give them free diagnosis,” Dr Hamdi said.
One of Dr Hamdi’s patients, Nadifo Osman Abdulle, developed a minor fistula complication during the birth of her first baby. She regularly visits the Women Care Clinic, as her three further childbirth experiences led to profuse bleeding.
Nadifo’s husband, a construction labourer, struggled to set aside $30 every month for her to go for treatment in various places. The money was consuming a sizeable portion of their income and she was also not getting any better. However, in September 2021, they discovered Dr Hamdi’s clinic, where Nadifo found help.
“There are so things that you are not very comfortable sharing with a male doctor, but female doctors are just like us and can feel our situation,” Nadifo shared.
Dr Hamdi employs four people at her clinic, including Ali Mohamed Farah, who received training as a laboratory assistant. He has been working for seven months on a monthly salary of $250 and uses his money to pay his university fees while also supporting his parents.
“My life has improved, I had just finished secondary school when I joined this place, I have done well for myself, and I support my mother and am very happy,” he noted.
Ali says he is happy to be helping vulnerable families and hopes to stay and grow in the job.
“I decided to work in this area although I had the opportunity to work in different areas. I was happy to help mothers and children and, in a sense, I am helping the society,” he said.
