By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Minister of Health and Social Care, Dr. Ali Haji Adan, appeared before the parliamentary committee responsible for social service development on Wednesday to provide details regarding a recent incident at Banadir Hospital, which drew widespread attention on social media.
The incident involved a woman who reportedly collapsed at the hospital and did not receive timely medical care, raising public outrage and prompting calls for accountability.
During the parliamentary session, Dr. Ali briefed committee members on the events leading up to the incident and the steps taken by the Ministry of Health in response.
Committee members questioned the minister on several points, including his findings from reviewing the hospital’s security and surveillance footage, the actions taken by hospital staff at the time, and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Dr. Ali acknowledged that errors had occurred at Banadir Hospital, explaining that the patient’s transfer had been neglected despite an assessed critical condition. He said that proper ambulance services were not activated and that the patient was not promptly moved to a suitable medical facility equipped to provide the necessary care.
The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Health is conducting a full investigation and working closely with hospital authorities to ensure accountability and improve emergency response protocols. He also highlighted plans to strengthen patient triage procedures, staff training, and oversight across public hospitals.
The Banadir Hospital incident has sparked widespread discussion online, with many Somalis criticizing inadequate healthcare infrastructure and slow emergency response systems. Parliamentarians indicated that they will continue to monitor the situation and push for reforms to prevent such lapses from recurring.
“Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives timely and appropriate care,” Dr. Ali told the committee. “We are committed to implementing the necessary changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The session reflects growing public scrutiny of Somalia’s healthcare system, which has faced longstanding challenges including shortages of medical personnel, equipment, and emergency services.
