Somalia: Intense Fighting in Mogadishu

Mogadishu's wounded continued to be brought to Daynile Hospital on August 25, the third day of intense fighting in Somalia's capital.

Somalia | 27 August 2010

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical teams have treated 127 casualties in Daynile Hospital since Monday, by far the largest influx of wounded people since the beginning of the year. This war-ravaged city has seen a substantial escalation in fighting since the beginning of this week.

The organization is in the process of sending additional drugs and medical equipment to the hospital to support the medical team. A third Somali surgeon is scheduled to join the team on Thursday, to provide much-needed relief to MSF teams who have been working around-the-clock since Monday.

"Our staff in Somalia is treating the war-wounded and doing its best to meet the massive medical needs in this increasingly volatile situation," said MSF Head of Mission Thierry Goffeau. "We are relying on shipments of additional medical supplies and have set up tents outside the hospital to handle the overflow of patients.”

All the injuries were the result of blast or gunshot wounds. Many people suffered multiple injuries, including wounds to the abdomen, lower limbs and chest. So far, 22 patients have required immediate surgical intervention. Eight patients died as a result of their injuries, with four of these patients dying upon arrival.

“Thanks to the hard work of our staff in Mogadishu we can continue to provide life saving surgery to the Somali population in the midst of this fighting,” Goffeau said.

MSF operates projects in eight regions of south central Somalia. More than 1,300 Somali staff, supported by more than 100 staff in Nairobi, Kenya, provide primary health care, tuberculosis and malnutrition treatment, surgery, and water and relief supplies to displaced people. MSF does not accept any government funding for its projects in Somalia, instead MSF relies solely on donations from individuals throughout the world.