MOGADISHU
Women in Somalia will have greater access to specialized mental health care following the opening of a dedicated psychiatric unit at Mogadishu’s Forlanini Hospital, a move aimed at expanding services in a country where mental health care remains limited.
The new women’s mental health unit will provide diagnosis, treatment and counseling tailored to women, helping address growing demand for specialized mental health services while strengthening Somalia’s broader health care system.
Officials said the facility is part of ongoing efforts to improve access to quality health care and ensure more women receive the mental health support they need.
They added that the unit is expected to help raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama officially opened the unit during a ceremony on Sunday, June 28, attended by State Minister of Health and acting Health Minister Dr. Maryama Mohamed Hussein, Health Ministry Director General Yusuf Hassan Isaaq, Forlanini Hospital Director Mohamed Jafar, senior ministry officials, health workers and other guests.
Jama said mental health is a fundamental part of overall health and well-being and that the federal government is committed to expanding access to health services across Somalia, particularly for women requiring mental health care.
Health Ministry officials said the new unit will help meet increasing demand for women’s mental health services by offering modern treatment and counseling provided by trained mental health professionals.
Mohamed Jafar, director of Forlanini Hospital, said the hospital will continue improving its services and that the new unit will focus on providing quality care for women experiencing a range of mental health conditions.
The opening of the unit marks another step in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its health care system and expand access to mental health services, an area that has historically received limited resources despite growing need.
