Somali-Swedish Midwife Honored with International Prize for Advancing Maternal Health in North Western State of Somalia
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AX) — In the heart of Nordic Europe, far from her birthplace under the vast, sun-drenched skies of Somalia, Ayaan Hassan, found herself walking a path few dare to tread. A Somali-born Swedish midwife, Ayaan recently received the prestigious 2025 Medical Mission’s Kindness Award, honoring her pivotal role in revolutionizing maternal healthcare in her homeland, North Western State of Somalia. What shaped this courageous journey? How did a Swedish-trained midwife find herself amidst the challenges of a different world, driven not by fortune but sheer altruism?
Eight years ago, Ayaan began her odyssey with an impassioned determination to bridge the chasm in maternal health services she observed during her visits to Gabiley, a region thirsting for improvements in childbirth outcomes. Grappling with an inadequate healthcare framework, she recognized the immediate necessity for trained medical professionals. As she recalls, her initial motivation was sparked during a conversation with a patient, a chance encounter, leaving an indelible mark on her heart and driving home the potential impact of skilled care. “How could I walk away and ignore such a need?” she mused during a recent BBC interview. “I knew I had to return, year after year, entirely at my own expense, to impart training, even if it was just a month at a time.”
Her endeavors focused on instilling life-saving skills within the local midwifery cadre, empowering them with capabilities to handle emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage and obstructed labor. It’s a profound calling, a legacy she sews into the very fabric of Gabiley’s healthcare. A picture emerges not of hardship, but of determined communities where, as the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. She’s watched young healthcare workers, once fledging in her training sessions, soar to new professional heights, many pursuing higher education in medicine.
Hassan’s landmark moment arrived in 2017 when she dared to approach Gabiley’s mayor, Mohamed, seeking governmental assistance. Mid-conversation, she painted a vivid picture of her vision, a future where Somali maternal care standards rivalled those of more developed nations. “I’m not wealthy,” she candidly confessed, “but my time and knowledge are yours if you can facilitate my stay.” Mohamed’s pragmatic response—pledging logistical support as well as ensuring safety—was a linchpin for the initiative’s sustainability and growth.
Progressing beyond mere participation, local healthcare providers have now become protagonists in this unfolding narrative. Their involvement ensures a continuous, flourishing advancement of maternal care standards—Hassan’s ultimate aspiration. Her commitment and the subsequent award, accompanied by a $3,000 cash prize, seem almost a mere footnote. Ayaan has already decided the best use for this financial windfall: providing professional uniforms for the midwives of Gabiley. “They’re the cornerstone of our efforts,” she declared, underscoring her commitment to nurturing their invaluable role in maternal healthcare.
As I reflect on Ayaan’s core achievements, her narrative weaves into a larger tapestry marked by myriad influences and inspirations. Former trainees now helm hospitals or teach the next generation, driven by knowledge and skills she imparted. Many contact her with gratitude, reminiscing, “Every delivery I oversee conjures memories of your teachings.”
Change manifests through the most unlikely characters, often quietly. Ayaan’s presence in Gabiley has sown seeds of change sprouting through the lives she touches. Her embodiment of this change inspires Somali professionals across the diaspora, urging them to mould knowledge into tangible results wherever there is need.
Läkarmissionen, the Swedish humanitarian entity bestowing the accolade, applauded her indefatigable efforts to elevate maternal and child health. Their commendatory words echo powerfully, “In scarcity of resources, Ayaan Hassan channels unwavering dedication into saving lives and inspiring peers.” In a world frequently bereft of boundless altruism, Ayaan illuminates the potential for one person’s contributions to alter life trajectories profoundly. Edited By Ali Musa Axadle Times international–Monitoring
