The 68-bed facility located in Mogadishu was commissioned
on Thursday at a ceremony presided over by Somalia’s Federal Minister of
Defence, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the Special Representative of the
Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia,
Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, and Italy’s Undersecretary of State
for Defence, Matteo Perego Di Cremnago.
ATMIS built the facility as a Quick Impact Project (QIP)
with funding from the Italian Government. QUIPs are aimed at bringing
basic services closer to the people and involve the construction of
schools, health facilities, police stations and the sinking of boreholes
among other necessities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Souef said the
facility will help improve treatment and care offered to Somali security
forces as they continue their offensive against Al Shabab militants.
“Today is a proud moment for all of us. This project is
being inaugurated at a time when the SNA (Somali National Army) is
fighting against the Khawarij (Al-Shabaab militants). The facility will
definitely support the SNA,” said Ambassador Souef.
Somalia’s Federal Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed
Nur, echoed the SRCC’s remarks noting that the facility would go a long
way in providing urgent medical attention to soldiers and other security
officers wounded on the battlefield.
“This facility is critical to the safety of our soldiers
engaged in the fight against terrorism. We acknowledge the contribution
of the Government of Italy and ATMIS to this facility,” the Minister
said.
On his part, Somalia’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen.
Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, said the opening of the facility was a significant
step in the transition process and hailed the collaboration between the
SNA, ATMIS and Italy, which enabled the successful implementation of the
project.
“This is also a lesson for future stabilisation projects
in support of the Somali National Army or other sectors. Beneficiaries
need to be consulted about their needs so that we can determine what
should be implemented and what needs to be prioritised,” said Gen.
Odowaa.
Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Defence described the
facility as timely assistance, adding that it will significantly benefit
soldiers fighting to liberate Somalia from Al-Shabaab terrorists.
“We are also grateful to ATMIS for their support in the
construction of this hospital. This facility will serve the soldiers of
Somalia who are involved in combating terrorism, which is our common
enemy,” said Mr Di Cremnago.
Other officials present at the ceremony included the
Acting ATMIS Force Commander, Brig. Gen. Peter Omola, and Italy’s
Ambassador to Somalia, Alberto Vecchi.
Credit: ATMIS
