Somali children with heart disease fly to Italy for treatment

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A group of Somali minors with heart diseases embarked on a medical mission to Italy from Mogadishu as part of an initiative to provide essential treatment and surgery at a Milan hospital. The initiative involves collaboration among the Italian NGO GRT, the Somali community association “Mother and Child Care,” Niguarda Hospital, the Lombardy Region, and the Hormuud Salaam Foundation.

During the departure, the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, the Chairman of the Hormuud Salaam Foundation, and the Director of Welcare Hospital bid farewell to four children and their parents. The foundation plans to send an additional 15 children later this month, targeting a total of 119 children who suffer from severe heart conditions that local hospitals in Somalia cannot treat.

The medical mission is primarily funded by the Lombardy regional government, which covers the medical expenses. The Hormuud Salaam Foundation provides for travel, supplies, and living expenses for the children and their families during their stay in Italy.

The Hormuud Salaam Foundation expressed gratitude to Adna Moalim Abdirahman for her pivotal role in the success of this lifesaving initiative and acknowledged the significant financial support from the Italian government.