My name is Yasmin Jama; I am a wife and mother of three and
I have recently gone back to my home country after 30 years
of living abroad. I would
like to share my experience from my trip.
Like everyone else I had heard all the stories about all
the changes and improvements that have happened there. When
I visited my hometown of Las Anod all I saw were new homes;
I was so unprepared for the reality of how far behind we are
as it pertains to medicine, medical treatment, education,
and less than sanitary conditions. At first I went to Las
Anod Hospital to take pictures and videos in order to show
my children, the hospital that I was born.
I was surprised how things
have changed. One of the images that I still hold in my head
and the most disturbing thing that made me write this letter
is the general hospital in Las Anod.
Unfortunately I found the condition of the facilities to be
shocking and not much of an improvementhas been made since it was built in 1948 by the
British. Even compared to the hospitals in other parts of
the country it is clear the facility is inadequate to
dealing with the needs of the people living there. I was
disappointed to see the lack of staffing with only two
doctors available, crumbling bathrooms that do not provide
privacy, and a hospital without the medical equipment needed
to diagnose the patients. There is little that doctors can
do for them. Luckily the few willing to help the patients
have been eager to do so in these inadequate conditions.
They have worked hard to improve the quality of life of
those around them eager to come for treatment with little
pay and nonexistent technology. People have lost their lives
on their way to neighboring hospitals. By improving Las Anod
hospital we are saving the lives of our people, and you save
resources by not sending your love ones to faraway places,
like Galkacayo, Burao, and Hargeisa. Charity starts at home;
we can always make a difference. Medicine, food, bed sheets,
blankets, mattress’, and detergent are some of the things
that we all take for granted, but in las Anod unfortunately
these necessities do not exist.
This crusade was not in my plans when I first went to visit
the hospital, but after seeing the patients suffering I
decided to do something about it. The intent here
is to build awareness around the issue of the Las Anod
Hospital. This is about helping your people and doing the
right thing.The need is great;
I understand that we’re only capable of doing so much. Let
us help our brothers and sisters. So please supportus in our quest to get the basic necessities that the
Las Anod Hospital so desperately needs. We are currently
raising funds; please contact those in your local community
to find out how you can help.
Thank you so much for your attention and care in reading
this. May Allah bless you.
