Foundation Funds Construction of Fistula Treatment Facility in Somaliland
Edna Adan Hospital provides care to needy women:

The Foundation is thrilled to be funding the construction of a brand new fistula repair facility at the Edna Adan Maternity and Teaching Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland, the first of its kind in the country. Somaliland, a small country north of Somalia in the horn of Africa, struggles with many challenges including high levels of poverty and maternal mortality. It is estimated that less than 5% of Somaliland's mothers deliver with help from a trained midwife or doctor. Lack of access to good quality emergency obstetric care contributes to high levels of maternal death and disability, including obstetric fistula. The Edna Adan Hospital, founded by Edna Adan, in 2002, is filling a desperate need women of Somaliland have for quality maternal care. But, the hospital's single operating room is stretched thin covering obstetric emergency cases. A grant of $150,000 from the Foundation is funding the building of a new Operating Theater Block dedicated to fistula treatment that will significantly increase the capacity of Edna Adan to treat fistula patients.

Edna Adan Hospital

Foundation partner Direct Relief International, who has been a supporter of the Edna Adana Hospital since 2005, is coordinating this project. The grant also will equip that facility, support training of staff and care of an estimated 144 fistula patients. The Foundation is grateful to our partner Direct Relief International for working with Edna Adan Hospital to expand their fistula treatment and prevention program.

About the Founder: Edna Adan Ismail

Founder: Edna Adan Maternity and Teaching Hospital

Edna Adan and graduating nurses

Edna Adan is an inspiring advocate for women and girls. She was raised in Somaliland, and trained as a nurse in the United Kingdom. While she returned to Somalia, she left after the Civil War there began. Her commitment to women's health did not wane and she joined the World Health Organization where she held various key positions advocating for the abolition of harmful traditional practices, such as female genital cutting. She came to Somaliland and built the Edna Adan Maternity and Teaching Hospital from scratch. It opened in 2002, on the site of a former garbage dump, land donated to her by the Regional Government. The hospital is an oasis of healing and care for Somaliland's women.