In recent years, illnesses have become noticeably more widespread across Somaliland. Hospitals, particularly in Hargeisa, are now significantly more crowded than they were in the 1980s. Despite the increasing number of healthcare facilities, the demand for medical care continues to outpace the supply. Even specialized hospitals, designed to treat a wide range of conditions, are frequently filled to capacity.
This growing pressure on our health system reflects deeper issues that go beyond limited infrastructure. A growing number of Somalilanders are traveling abroad—especially to India, Malaysia, and Turkey—for treatment. Reports suggest that nearly 20,000 Somalis are currently living in Indian cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Delhi primarily for medical reasons. This mass medical migration raises urgent questions: Why are so many people seeking care abroad? What is failing at home?
As a journalist and concerned citizen, I believe this trend points to a broader public health crisis that deserves serious attention. Are we eating unhealthy, non-organic food? Are we living sedentary lifestyles that put our health at risk? These are questions that remain largely unanswered. What’s more troubling is the clear health gap between urban and rural populations—people living in cities tend to be in worse health, though the reasons remain unclear.
Could the cause lie in stress, as life becomes harder for many? Or perhaps it’s due to poor hygiene, a shortage of trained medical personnel, substandard medications, or unhealthy food? Whatever the reasons, one thing is certain: Somaliland is facing a rising tide of illness, and we may be faring worse than even our neighboring countries.
To address this, we urgently need a scientific approach. I am calling on the current government to prioritize the establishment of a Public Health Research Institute in Somaliland. Such an institution would study the root causes of our health problems and provide data-driven recommendations to improve public well-being. Without solid research, we are only guessing at the solutions.
Understanding the real causes behind these illnesses is no longer optional—it is essential. For the sake of our people’s health, and the sustainability of our healthcare system, the time to act is now.
By Abdirahman Ibrahim Abdilahi
Hargeisa, Somaliland
