Somali region: When will the crawling system ever walk? By Kassim Haji

Back to Rwanda after spending 17 thrilling days in Jijiga. I met great people with great ideas and creativity that if harnessed could contribute to a better Somali region. Huge number of youth face a life of dependency and joblessness. Yet, they have so much talent and energy locked untapped in their brains. These young people are the future of Somali region and can solve most of the problems given the right platform to unleash their talents. I visited Jijiga referral hospital with three of my colleagues , all worried about the state of service at the hospital. To our dismay and shock we saw expensive array of medical equipment-- including modern hospital beds ,oxygen cylinders and chairs dumped at the entrance , heaps and heaps of badly needed equipment. It was a heart breaking sight to witness, with the dire scarcity of resources in the region. The hospital's incinerator gate was open and children could easily access coming into contact with highly dangerous medical waste such as sharp needles contaminated with HIV or hepatits. We appeal to the hospital authority to donate the equipment , if they don't need them to other hospitals. Within the incinerator compound too medical equipment lay strewn in the sun. Dogs were sleeping in the hospital park. Some of these dogs might be infected with rabies, an infectious killer diseases. How on earth do you allow a dozen stray dogs to roam in a referral hospital? Is the sense of responsibility and accountability dead? Just opposite the referral hospital stands imposing site of what looks like Portuguese Fortress: once a symbol of power and propaganda machine. It's a radio station , a media mouth piece with its entire parameter protected by giant concretes and stern looking paramilitary police armed with Kalashnikov. The contrast between the referral hospital and t this fortres, in terms of amount of money that went into it, is mind boggling. When public anger boils over because of oppression, even the fortress throws out the ruling elite hiding inside its building to face the music. The referral hospital's leadership, must care and maintain the equipment for it costs millions of tax payers money to buy and transport it to the point of use. The lack of care and negligence is evident on the dirty floors, cracked walls and the poor utilization of space to beautify the hospital. I hope someone in authority is listening and will act on our observation to hold those in charge accountable. At least a mother or a child will get a better medical care if those in power reflect on what we have observed and take our advice as a problem solving tips. We stand with mothers and children left with dysfunctional health care services, and we will not shy away to be their voice .