Somalia: Amid Vaccination Campaign, MSF Treats Wounded in Guri-El

Following recent clashes in Somalia’s Galgaduud region, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is treating wounded patients in Istarlin hospital in Guri-el. The 80-bed hospital has been working to near full capacity in most departments, including treating patients for malnutrition, whooping cough, and measles.

At the end of April, MSF launched a vaccination campaign in Guri-el and its surroundings. So far, teams have vaccinated 3,937 people against measles and 2,552 people against whooping cough.

As a medical humanitarian organization, MSF calls on all parties involved to ensure patients from all areas can receive medical care, and to observe the neutrality of health structures and ambulances transporting wounded.

MSF has worked in Istarlin hospital since 2006. The hospital is open to all people in need of medical care, regardless of their clan, religious or political affiliations.

MSF has worked in Somalia continuously since 1991 and today is present in eight regions: Banadir, Bay, Hiraan, Galgaduud, Middle Juba, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Mudug.

MSF does not accept funding from any government for its work in Somalia, choosing to rely solely on private donations.