Instead of Investigating the Complaints, Patients Were Pitted Against Each Other
By Somalilandpost News
Hargeisa (SLpost)- A public complaint by kidney dialysis patients at Hargeisa Group Hospital has sparked widespread debate across Somaliland after patients accused the country’s largest public hospital of poor healthcare services, malfunctioning dialysis equipment, and excessive medical charges. The controversy deepened after another group of dialysis patients defended the hospital, while the Minister of Health dismissed the original complaints as politically motivated.
Several kidney dialysis patients gathered outside Hargeisa Group Hospital on Tuesday to publicly voice concerns over what they described as deteriorating treatment conditions. Speaking to local media, the patients alleged that despite paying fees for dialysis services and medical supplies, they frequently face interruptions caused by faulty dialysis machines and are charged inflated prices for basic medical equipment.
“I am looking for healthcare while others are searching for political positions. We cannot continue living like this. Mr. President, please come to our rescue,” one patient said.
The patient further claimed that scheduled dialysis sessions are often cancelled after patients arrive at the hospital because they are informed that the dialysis machine has broken down.
“A syringe that costs 25,000 Somaliland shillings in the market is sold to us for 50,000 at the hospital,” he alleged.
Another dialysis patient, Iid Mohamed, made an emotional appeal, saying: “Death is inevitable, but this is suffering. Please let us die with dignity instead of enduring this.”
The patients’ statements quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread concern among Somaliland citizens and generating calls for urgent government intervention to address the reported shortcomings in dialysis services.
Contrasting Accounts from Other Patients
Only hours after the initial complaints, another group of dialysis patients addressed the media from the same hospital, expressing appreciation for the care they receive at Hargeisa General Hospital.
The second group rejected the allegations made by the earlier speakers and claimed that those who had criticized the hospital were not among the regular dialysis patients receiving treatment at the facility.
The conflicting public statements from patients suffering from the same life-threatening condition have fueled speculation and intense public discussion. While no evidence has been presented to explain the differing accounts, the incident has raised broader questions about the condition of public healthcare services and the experiences of dialysis patients in Somaliland.
Health Minister Rejects the Claims
The controversy escalated further after Somaliland’s Minister of Health publicly rejected the complaints, arguing that the demonstration had been organized by outside interests rather than reflecting genuine grievances.
“These people were organized. There are others behind them who have their own agenda,” the minister said.
His remarks triggered further criticism from members of the public, many of whom argued that the government should prioritize investigating the patients’ concerns rather than questioning their motives.
Calls for Presidential Intervention
The incident prompted strong reactions from politicians, legal experts, and civil society figures.
Politician Abdinasir Buni urged President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) to personally intervene. “Mr. President, come out of the Presidential Palace and visit the patients who are crying for help. They do not need photo opportunities—they need relief from their suffering,” he said.
Legal expert Mohamed Ahmed also criticized the handling of the situation, arguing that patients deserve compassion and a fair hearing.
“When patients raise concerns about the healthcare services provided by their government, those concerns should be carefully examined while protecting their dignity. Their illness was not their choice, and none of us can guarantee that we will not become patients tomorrow.”
He also questioned why another group of patients felt compelled to publicly defend the hospital, suggesting several possible explanations while emphasizing that all patients should receive equal treatment regardless of whether they speak publicly.
“Whatever the circumstances, this is unfortunate. Patients—whether they speak out or remain silent—have an equal right to receive quality healthcare without discrimination,” he said.
Background
Hargeisa Group Hospital, Somaliland’s largest government-run public hospital, provides healthcare services at substantially lower costs than private medical facilities, making it the primary source of affordable treatment for thousands of patients across the country.
The dialysis machine began operating at Hargeisa General Hospital on April 25, 2012, when the hospital performed its first kidney dialysis treatment. The equipment was procured through Somaliland’s national budget during the administration of the late President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo), with the project reportedly championed by the then Minister of Finance, the late Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi.
The dispute has reignited public discussion about the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of dialysis services in Somaliland, with many citizens calling for an independent assessment of the hospital’s dialysis facilities and a transparent response from the Ministry of Health.
While the allegations and counterclaims remain contested, the incident has underscored the critical importance of maintaining public confidence in essential healthcare services and ensuring that concerns raised by patients are addressed through transparent and accountable processes.
Somalilandpost News
editor@somalilandpost.news
