Hana & Manal’s Story
Hana and Manal are Somaliland doctors undertaking specialist Orthopaedic training in Jimma, Ethiopia, supported by a 4 year ADFA scholarship. These are their stories.
Dr Hana’s Story
Being a medical doctor and joining medicine was never on my dream list but it was my father’s wish to see me joining med school. So, to fulfill it I started medicine, it was a tough journey. Fortunately I finished medical school and became a doctor and started work at Hargeisa Group Hospital (Somaliland).
Always I was interested in the surgical field and at the same time I met my mentor Dr Abdirashid Ismail (Orthopedic Surgery Consultant). He showed me how we can change the world and have a tremendous influence on disabilities which drove me to seek orthopedics specialty today. Now my dream is to continue on to become a pediatric and deformity correction orthopedic surgeon and put a smile on the faces of these kids and their parents, who are struggling with lower limb deformities.
Dr Manal’s Story
Before I joined medical school, my friend sustained an injury and fractured her spine, and I used to visit her in hospital where there were no qualified physicians at that time. It was the exact moment I promised myself to fix bones.
Through my medical school, I used to think that it will be impossible for a lady to pursue orthopaedic as a career until I first met Dr Graham Forward in Hargeisa Somaliland when I was an intern in 2018. I assume it was ADFA’s 9th visit to Somaliland where they operate voluntarily once a year. Currently I’m a 2nd Year orthopaedic resident and ADFA is one of the reasons I’m here. I appreciate ADFA for everything they did for me and for my country.
Photo caption: Hana and Manal, Somaliland Female Orthopaedic Trainees
News
Strategic Planning Seminar
Australian Doctors for Africa held a Strategic Planning workshop recently to guide activity planning for the next 5 years. Thanks to the supporters, volunteers, Board members and staff who contributed to a dynamic and productive session. A special thanks to Tanveer...
Somaliland Orthopaedics Training
Training for 3 consultants and 5 residents on ATLS (advanced trauma) conducted by Australian Doctors for Africa, Dr Graham Forward and Dr Ananya Admasu. Here being welcomed by Dr Ahmed (Head of Department), Dr Said and Dr Yasin. Dr Abdirashid is on fellowship in...
Donated Medical Equipment
Huge thanks to the teams at the Mount Hospital and Murdoch University (Mandurah Campus) for donating recently retired medical equipment, including resuscitators, patient chairs, vital signs monitors, BP monitors and supply storage cabinets. This equipment is in...