Health infrastructure in Somalia has collapsed with the fall of the national government in 1991. In most of the rural areas of Somalia, people do not have access to basic healthcare. Gedo region is one of those areas. Consequently, critical and emergency cases have to be referred to Baidoa or Mandera in Kenya, located more than 200 km from Gedo.

HIRDA is putting great effort towards the establishment of basic health services in a bid to provide medical care to Somalis. Now, thanks in large part to our efforts, women receive pre- and postnatal care in the Mother and Child Health centres and children receive immunization services, supplementary food and treatment of deficiency disorders in our Outpatient clinics. The medical facilities also provide information on nutrition and hygiene.