In brief
- Goobjoog News reported on 2021-11-03 that a joint mission between AMISOM and the Government of Italy will construct a 68-bed health facility for soldiers and officers of the Somali National Army.
- The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday at the premises of the old Somali National Army Hospital in Mogadishu, a site destroyed during the civil war in the early 1990s.
- The project is to be undertaken by Deeqa Construction and Water Well Drilling Company, and AMISOM Civil Engineer Andrew Alele said it will take six months to complete.
On 3 November 2021, Goobjoog News reported that a joint mission between AMISOM and the Government of Italy will construct a 68-bed health facility for soldiers and officers of the Somali National Army.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday at the premises of the old Somali National Army Hospital in Mogadishu, according to Goobjoog News. That old hospital was erected nearly six decades ago and was brought down during the civil war in the early 1990s, the report adds. Goobjoog News does not state the exact calendar date of the ceremony.
Who attended and who builds
Senior SNA and AMISOM officers attended, Goobjoog News reported, including AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya and AMISOM Sector One Commander Brig. Don Nabaasa.
The project, to be undertaken by Deeqa Construction and Water Well Drilling Company, would include a modern kitchen, laundry, administration, and storage areas, according to Goobjoog News. No contract value or award notice is cited in the report.
Italy's Ambassador to Somalia, Alberto Vecchi, said that following a request by the Somali Chief of Defence Forces for a health facility for members of Somalia's military, an agreement was reached with the African Union Commission. Vecchi reiterated his government's commitment to work with the Somali administration in maintaining the facility, and said Italy will keep supporting and helping the government and the people of Somalia to maintain it after completion. He added Italy would find a way to help depending on Somalia's needs.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Simon Mulongo, said the health facility had the potential of being transformed into a medical research and development facility, noting that worldwide the military was always way ahead in making groundbreaking innovations which have had great impacts in communities.
Somalia Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Odowaa Yusuf said the request for the facility stemmed from the dire need for specialised medical equipment and health personnel. In the past, this hospital not only provided services to military personnel but also catered for the civilian population, Odowaa said. Now, he said, "we will have the 68-bed facility to cater for the military."
Odowaa said the old Isbitaalka Xoogga was renowned for having the best medical and research experts and expressed hope to have the best experts there again.
The project will take six months to complete, as per AMISOM Civil Engineer Andrew Alele, Goobjoog News reported.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scope of the hospital project?
Goobjoog News reported a 68-bed health facility for soldiers and officers of the Somali National Army, including a modern kitchen, laundry, administration, and storage areas.
Who is funding and building the hospital?
Goobjoog News reported that a joint mission between AMISOM and the Government of Italy will construct the facility, and that the project is to be undertaken by Deeqa Construction and Water Well Drilling Company. No contract value is cited.
What is the construction timeline?
AMISOM Civil Engineer Andrew Alele said the project will take six months to complete, as reported by Goobjoog News on 2021-11-03.