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Somalia mourns the loss of Dr. Mohamed Yusuf Hassan, a revered war surgeon who dedicated his life to saving thousands of lives during the country’s most turbulent years. Dr. Yusuf, the longtime director of Medina Hospital in Mogadishu, was laid to rest on Saturday, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to his nation’s healthcare sector.
Born in 1950 in Afgooye, Lower Shabelle region, Dr. Yusuf completed his early education in Qoryooley, Baidoa, and Marka before graduating from Sheikh Hassan Barsame High School in Mogadishu in 1966. He pursued his medical studies with a determination to serve his people, eventually becoming a leading surgeon in Somalia. Throughout his career, Dr. Yusuf operated through war, insurgencies, and devastating bombings, training generations of Somali doctors and treating countless casualties.
Dr. Yusuf’s career was marked by his extraordinary ability to perform under the most challenging conditions. When Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia in 2006, Medina Hospital became a battlefield infirmary, overwhelmed with the mangled bodies of civilians caught in the crossfire. Despite the chaos, Dr. Yusuf remained steadfast, training young and inexperienced doctors on the spot to meet the overwhelming demand for medical care. His son, Dr. Rooble Mohamed Yusuf, recalled, “There were too few surgeons, so he trained new graduates in surgery to meet the overwhelming demand. Some days, we received as many as 200 casualties from Ethiopian bombardments.”
Dr. Yusuf played a critical role in responding to some of Mogadishu’s deadliest bombings, including the 2011 Ministry of Higher Education attack and the 2017 Zoobe truck bombing, which killed over 500 people. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in saving countless lives during these tragic events. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid tribute to Dr. Yusuf, highlighting his dedication to the country’s health sector. “Dr. Mohamed Yusuf Hassan played a major role in saving the Somali community. He was one of the most important pillars of the health sector, volunteering his time to ensure the health of the community and producing generations of skilled health professionals who continue to serve the people and the country,” said President Mohamud.
Dr. Yusuf’s contributions extended beyond the operating room. As the Chairman of the National Health Professionals Council, he played a pivotal role in shaping Somalia’s health policies and institutions. His leadership and vision were instrumental in strengthening medical education, guiding professionals, and ensuring access to quality healthcare, even in the country’s most challenging times. President Mohamud emphasized, “He stood by his country in difficult times, providing expertise and leadership that will continue to inspire generations.”
The passing of Dr. Yusuf is a profound loss for Somalia, but his legacy will live on through the health professionals he mentored and the systems he helped build. His dedication to his country and his unwavering commitment to saving lives have left an indelible mark on Somalia’s healthcare sector. As the nation mourns, Somalia reaffirms its commitment to advancing healthcare—a cause to which Dr. Yusuf dedicated his life.
Dr. Yusuf’s funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including government officials, medical professionals, and members of the community he served so selflessly. The outpouring of grief and gratitude was a testament to the impact he had on the lives of so many. As the nation bids farewell to this heroic war surgeon, his legacy of resilience, compassion, and dedication will continue to inspire future generations of Somali doctors and healthcare professionals.