Abshiro Said Hilowle had been in labour for more than 24 hours with minimal progress and no medical professionals to help her. She had been married for just over a year, and this was her first child. Abshiro and her husband live in Ceel Sharifow, a remote village in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. The nearest hospital is nearly 220 miles (about 350 kilometres) away in the country’s capital, Mogadishu.
When she found out she was pregnant, Abishiro had eagerly awaited the arrival of her baby—embracing the joys and challenges that lay ahead and looking forward to creating a loving home for her child. But now, as her labour continued, hope was replaced by fear. Despite her family’s efforts to support her, the risk of complications grew with each passing hour. It soon became clear that Abshiro required urgent medical care.
In a desperate attempt to save both Abshiro and her unborn child, Abishiro’s family called for an International Medical Corps-supported ambulance, which they hoped would transport her to a referral hospital. But they soon realised they did not have that kind of time. Then, a glimmer of hope emerged: an International Medical Corps mobile medical team arrived to set up a temporary clinic in a village only 12 miles (about 20 kilometres) away. International Medical Corps’ mobile teams regularly travel to remote and hard-to-reach areas to provide lifesaving health services to underserved communities.
“For people in these remote communities, the nearest health facility is often too far to access, especially in an emergency,” explains Njoroge Kamau, International Medical Corps’ Country Director in Somalia. “This is why International Medical Corps operates mobile medical teams—to reach these communities and provide essential services, including maternal healthcare, vaccinations and safe deliveries. And it’s why we train nurses and midwives—so they can return to their communities and do this work during emergencies and after our activities have ended.”
With no time to lose, Abishiro’s family contacted the mobile team, which rushed to Abshiro’s village. When they arrived, Ruweydo Mohamed Fidow—an International Medical Corps Nutrition Assistant based in Jowhar, Somalia, and the mobile team’s lead nurse—immediately assessed the situation. There were no hospital beds or medical equipment, other than what the mobile team had brought with them. Instead, they were faced with an open field under a large tree. Without hesitation, Ruweydo and her fellow mobile team members transformed the outdoor space into a makeshift delivery room.
“In moments of crisis, every second counts,” explains Ruweydo. “We were determined to ensure that Abshiro and her baby received the care they needed, no matter the setting. It’s why we do this work.”
With her years of experience, Ruweyda swiftly provided the necessary support to deliver Abshiro’s baby under the tree. Calm and precise, the delivery was successful. Despite the rural setting, the timely intervention of the mobile team ensured that both mother and child survived the challenging ordeal.
“I was filled with fear and pain, but when the International Medical Corps team arrived, they brought me hope,” said Abishiro, exhausted but filled with joy while holding her newborn close. “Holding my baby now, I feel a gratitude I cannot express—their quick actions saved our lives.”
The mobile health team also provided post-delivery care to ensure that both mother and child were stable. Post-delivery care includes complete examinations of both mother and baby, providing the mother with counselling on breastfeeding and providing the newborn with vaccinations, vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease and tetracycline eye ointment to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis.
Across Somalia, rural communities face significant challenges from ongoing conflict and food insecurity, as well as the limited availability of health services due to inadequate infrastructure and a lack of health facilities. For the people in these areas, International Medical Corps’ mobile teams are not just healthcare providers—they are true lifelines.
Learn more about our work in Somalia, including at the Jowhar Maternity Unit, where our team delivers more than 250 babies each month. And sign up for our e-newsletter to find out how we’re helping mothers and children in need around the world.