Hauwa Abdi, the first woman doctor of Somalia is a Feminist, a human rights activist and famously known as the Mother Teresa of the country. Born in a well to do family in Mogadishu region in 1947. Her father was an educated person and provided his children with a good education. A turning point in her life came when she was only 12 years old. Her mother died during pregnancy. This event changed her life forever. She thought that had there been a doctor her mother would have been alive. In her area, medical facilities were not available at that time. At the tender age of 12, she has the responsibility of taking care of her 4 younger sisters. Though her grandmother was there but due to old age she was not of much help. Her mother death's due to unavailability of medical services gave her a mission to go for medical education. She was a bright student. In the year 1964 when she was 17 years of age, she passed higher secondary. This was required for taking admission in medical education. Luckily she got a fellowship from then the Soviet Union. She went to Moscow and from there to Kiev, which is in present time 'Ukraine'. During her medical education, she met Adan Mohammad, who was also from Somalia. He was also studying medical education there. They got married in 1973.
After completing her medical education and expertise on women issues, she came back to Somalia. And she started working in a government hospital. She became the mother of two daughters and one son. But she was not happy. She was determined to do something for poor and helpless people of her country. The situation of health services in her country was pathetic. She started a health clinic in her parental village. She started communicating with tribal and nomad families and encouraged them to come to her clinic for medical help during pregnancy. She became very famous in her area due to her selfless service to poor and deprived sections of society. In 1991 Somalia came under civil war. Despite this, she continued her work. On 5th may 2010 nearly 750 terrorists encircled her clinic. They asked her why she was running this clinic? You are an old woman and you must close this clinic now. She told them she was not going to close her clinic. The terrorist took control of the clinic for many days. In between many children died due to unavailability of medical facilities in the area. This forced local people to come in support of Hauva. People started gathering near her clinic. Due to people's agitation and pressure from international community terrorist fled her clinic and they also apologised to her. In1983 she started her clinic: Hauva Abdi hospital with 400 beds and 3 operation theatres. Her two daughter have become doctors and are working in the same hospital. Now there are nearly half a dozen doctors and 40 nursing staff. In between, she has opened a school and provided residential facilities to children who are orphaned due to the civil war raging in Somalia. By her determined work, she successfully helped nearly 90,000 people of her country to lead a better life. She has been awarded by multiple prestigious awards so far. She could have led a happy and peaceful life, but she chose a meaningful life instead. Humanity is proud of her work and in Somalia, no wonder, she is known as the Mother Teresa of Somalia.
“Women can build stability. We can make peace.”
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