When Hospital Shelves Are Full, Care Can Continue: LIFE Strengthens Hospitals in Somaliland

Morning rounds at a public hospital can reveal a crisis before a doctor ever speaks. Empty glove boxes. Delayed wound care. Patients are asked to purchase basic supplies on their own. In Somaliland, where public hospitals provide free care to millions, shortages of routine medical consumables determine who receives timely treatment and who waits. 

Across Somaliland, government hospitals face mounting pressure from high patient loads and limited supply chains. Facilities in Hargeisa, Borama, and the national referral hospital serve urban and rural populations alike, often treating entire regions with constrained resources. When essential items run out, even basic procedures stall, and the burden shifts to families least able to carry it. 

In November 2025, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) delivered a full container of medical supplies to Somaliland and deliberately divided it into three equal portions, strengthening Hargeisa National Hospital, Borama Regional Hospital, and Somaliland National Hospital at the same time. LIFE independently managed the offloading, sorting, and delivery, coordinating with hospital leadership and the Ministry of Health to verify receipt and ensure immediate integration into daily operations. The supplies supported infection control, outpatient and inpatient services, maternal and pediatric care, and routine procedures that hospitals perform every day. 

“The supplies we received are essential for keeping services running without interruption,” a hospital representative shared. “They reduce stockouts, improve patient flow, and help us deliver care safely to everyone who comes through our doors.” 

At Borama Regional Hospital, staff described how consistent access to consumables meant fewer delays and less pressure on patients to purchase items themselves. “Having these supplies on hand allows us to provide faster, safer care for our patients.” 

By fortifying three of Somaliland’s most critical public hospitals at once, LIFE helped stabilize daily healthcare delivery for communities that rely on these facilities as their first and last line of care. The result is fuller shelves, continuity, safety, and trust where it matters most.