Mogadishu's wounded continued to be brought to Daynile Hospital on 25 August, the third day of intense fighting in Somalia's capital. MSF medical teams have treated 127 casualties since Monday, by far the largest influx of injured people since the beginning of the year. The war-ravaged city has seen a substantial escalation in fighting since the beginning of this week.
"Our staff in Somalia are treating the war-wounded and doing their best to meet the massive medical needs in this increasingly volatile situation," said Thierry Goffeau, MSF’s head of mission. "We are relying on shipments of additional medical supplies and have set up tents outside the hospital to handle the overflow of patients.”
The people brought to the hospital have blast and gunshot wounds. Many have multiple injuries, predominantly to the abdomen, lower limbs and chest. Four patients died upon arrival, and another four died later as a result of their injuries. So far, 22 patients have required immediate surgery.
MSF is in the process of sending additional drugs and medical equipment to the hospital to support the medical team. A third Somali surgeon is scheduled to arrive today, to provide much-needed relief to MSF staff who have been working around-the-clock since Monday.
“Thanks to the hard work of our staff in Mogadishu, we can continue to provide lifesaving surgery to the Somali population in the midst of this fighting,” Goffeau said.
MSF operates projects in eight regions of south central Somalia. More than 1,300 Somali staff, supported by more than 100 staff in Nairobi, Kenya, provide primary healthcare, tuberculosis and malnutrition treatment, surgery, and water and relief supplies to displaced people. MSF does not accept any government funding for its projects in Somalia, relying solely on donations from individuals throughout the world.