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MOGADISHU — The Somali Hormuud Salaam Foundation held a high-level appreciation ceremony in the capital Mogadishu to honor an Italian medical team and diplomats for their pivotal role in arranging and performing life-saving heart surgeries for 24 Somali children who received specialized treatment in Italy.
The ceremony marked the successful completion of a qualitative humanitarian mission during which children with complex cardiac conditions were transferred to Niguarda Hospital in Milan Lombardy region to receive advanced pediatric cardiac care currently unavailable within Somalia’s medical infrastructure.
Mr. Abdullahi Noor Osman Chairman of the Hormuud Salaam Foundation emphasized in his speech that this humanitarian program demonstrates what can be achieved through dedicated partnerships praising the central roles of Italian cardiac surgeon Stefano Marianeschi program initiator Edna Moallin Abdirahman and the Italian Embassy in facilitating these operations.
The event saw a distinguished official presence led by His Excellency Jibriil Haji Abdirashiid Abdi the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Her Excellency Maryan Mohamed Hussein State Minister of Health as certificates of appreciation were presented to the Italian medical and diplomatic delegation for their exceptional humanitarian contributions.
The Second Deputy Prime Minister stated that this initiative has fundamentally transformed the lives of Somali families who had previously lost hope in accessing advanced treatment for their children suffering from heart disease confirming that the state highly values initiatives that directly impact citizens’ lives.
For his part Italian surgeon Stefano Marianeschi head of the surgical team described the Hormuud Salaam Foundation as the “backbone” of this humanitarian program asserting that the medical partnership with Somalia will continue and evolve to ensure healthcare reaches those most in need.
Organizers revealed that during their current visit to Mogadishu the Italian doctors screened an additional 55 children suffering from cardiac issues with plans underway to arrange their travel to Italy for necessary treatment later in 2026 continuing this vital medical relief bridge.
In a diplomatic context the Italian Ambassador to Somalia Pier Dacco reaffirmed Rome’s steadfast commitment to historical humanitarian ties with Mogadishu noting that the embassy remains fully committed to facilitating visas and logistical support for urgent medical evacuations.
The ceremony concluded by noting that the program was implemented through joint cooperation between the Lombardy regional authorities Niguarda Hospital and the Somali Ministry of Health with local coordination and supervision by Welcare and SIMAN hospitals representing an integrated model of international health cooperation.
The “Medical Diplomacy” between Mogadishu and Milan represents an inspiring model of cross-border cooperation where partnerships between national charitable foundations and global medical expertise become a lifeline for Somali children. This collaboration also opens new horizons for developing local medical staff through direct engagement with advanced international expertise in specialized surgeries.
