Dhobley, 29 September 2023 – Before being admitted at Dhobley Level II Hospital for specialised treatment Sadiya Mohamed had endured months of pain and misery.
She had previously moved from one hospital to another seeking treatment for chronic diabetes resulting in one of her legs being amputated at a private hospital in Mogadishu early January due to damaged tissue.
However, her medical woes were not over. In May an expectant Sadiya was rushed to Dhobley Level II Hospital – managed by the Kenya Defence Forces serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) – after her condition worsened.
There, the problem was quickly identified. She had a breech pregnancy and was given emergency treatment.
“I was referred to this hospital for additional care since I neglected to take my blood pressure medication because I feared it would affect my pregnancy. I thank God the doctors saved my life,” said Sadiya at her hospital bed after undergoing a delicate caesarean operation.
Her recovery is credit to ATMIS and the medical staff at Dhobley Level II Hospital’s objective of improving the livelihood of local communities through Civil-Military- Cooperation (CIMIC) engagements.
Sadiya had no clue that she had a complicated pregnancy -partly caused by her diabetic condition – when she was transferred to the ATMIS-run hospital from Dhobley General Hospital in Dhobley town along the Somalia- Kenya border.
The chronic diabetes coupled with high blood pressure had made her frail and put her unborn child at risk.
“When she was referred to us, our goal was to ensure a safe delivery for both mother and baby, as well as address her medical condition for her continued well-being,” stated Captain Dr Fredrick Cheruiyot, a Kenya Defence Forces medic.
Dr. Cheruiyot was referring to the breech pregnancy discovered after several tests were run on the patient.
A breech presentation also referred to as breech position occurs when a baby is lying bottom-down in the womb.
According to ATMIS doctors, there was a risk of the baby getting stuck in the birth canal and oxygen supply through the umbilical cord getting cut off, if a caesarean operation was not conducted.
Sadiya was quickly rushed to the theatre where KDF medics conducted the caesarean operation, saving the life of the mother and the baby.
“I am very grateful for the care and kindness I received from the staff of this hospital during my stay here,” noted Sadiya holding her new born baby.
The hospital staff not only helped Sadiya deliver but also raised funds to purchase essential provisions for her new born baby.
The items purchased included a wheelchair, foodstuffs, baby diapers, towels, shawls, clothes, and a mosquito net among others.
“Motherhood is a difficult journey, and it becomes most difficult in a conflict environment like this one in Somalia. We have seen this lady, Sadiya, walked with her from pregnancy to the point now that the baby is two months old,” said Major Ruth Omedi, ATMIS Gender Officer for Sector Two.
The ATMIS Sector II Deputy Commander Col. Adan Safe, reiterated that KDF troops in Dhobley would continue providing medical aid to the surrounding communities.
“Our mandate includes the protection of civilians and vulnerable groups such as women and children. Once Sadiya returns to her village, we will continue to involve other community members in supporting her,” observed Col. Safe.
He noted that ATMIS’ main objective was to build strong relations with the local communities.