Mogadishu, Somalia — A shocking incident at Banadir Hospital has sparked widespread outrage across Somalia after a woman was reportedly forced to give birth outside the facility’s gates, allegedly due to her inability to pay medical service fees.
Witnesses say the expectant mother was removed from the hospital premises after she could not afford the amount demanded for treatment. Moments later, she went into labor and gave birth in front of the hospital — an event that has drawn condemnation from citizens and rights advocates alike.
What has intensified public anger is that Banadir Hospital is a government-run public health institution under the administration of the Federal Government of Somalia. It was established to provide free maternal and child healthcare services to vulnerable mothers and children across the country.
Images and videos circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms have shown the distressed mother lying outside the hospital, sparking nationwide criticism and calls for accountability. Social media users have expressed deep frustration over the state of public healthcare and the alleged neglect of vulnerable patients.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Ministry of Health has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, nor have ministry officials reportedly visited the woman involved.
The administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has faced persistent accusations of corruption and mismanagement, with critics claiming that government institutions have become increasingly inefficient and inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
This latest incident has reignited debate about the state of public service delivery in Somalia — particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare — and renewed calls for the government to take urgent measures to ensure accountability and restore public trust.