# VP Unveils UAE-Funded Hospital in Berbera

> Somali Dispatch reported that Somaliland's Vice President unveiled the UAE-funded Khalifa Hospital in Berbera on 12 January 2021; few details are known.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Business and Costs
- Tags: procurement, project-management
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/vp-unveils-uae-funded-hospital-berbera

## Key points

- Somali Dispatch reported on 12 January 2021 that Somaliland's Vice President unveiled the Khalifa Hospital in Berbera, funded by the UAE.
- The report includes claims from the Berbera mayor and the Minister of Health Development about the hospital's expected impact, but no independent verification.
- Since the unveiling, there is no evidence on the hospital's operational status, capacity, or total cost.

On 12 January 2021, Somali Dispatch reported that the Vice President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail (Saylici), unveiled a new hospital in Berbera funded by the UAE government. The report described the facility as the Khalifa Hospital and said the Vice President thanked the UAE government for its construction.

The Berbera mayor, speaking at the opening ceremony as reported by Somali Dispatch, said the hospital would improve health services in the region. Somaliland's Minister of Health Development, also present, said the hospital is one of many other hospitals built in the country.

The same report noted that the United Arab Emirates handed over solar power to the Somaliland government in Berbera that day. Somali Dispatch also stated that the UAE government operates the port of Berbera through DP World.

What the report does not establish is whether the hospital is operational or has improved health services since the unveiling. No details are given about the hospital's capacity, equipment, contractor, cost, or construction timeline. The claim that the UAE government constructed the hospital is attributed only to the Vice President; no independent verification is provided. Similarly, the significance of the solar power handover and the number of other hospitals built are not documented.

The report leaves open whether the Khalifa Hospital has changed healthcare delivery in Berbera, what it cost, and whether the UAE's involvement through DP World is linked to the hospital's funding.

## Questions

### What is the capacity of the Khalifa Hospital in Berbera?

The Somali Dispatch report does not state the hospital's capacity, number of beds, or departments.

### When was construction of the Khalifa Hospital completed?

The report only states the hospital was unveiled on 12 January 2021; no construction completion date is given.

### What was the total cost of the Khalifa Hospital?

The report does not provide any cost or funding breakdown for the hospital.

## Sources

- [Somaliland: Vice President unveils UAE funded Hospital in Berbera](https://www.somalidispatch.com/latest-news/somaliland-vice-president-uae-unveils-funded-hospital-in-berbera/) — Somali Dispatch, 2021-01-12