Salahlay is a town located in the Maroodi Jeex region of Somaliland. It is situated in the western part of the country, located about 56 km southeast of Hargeisa and 15 km from the border with Ethiopia is known for its rural setting and is part of the larger administrative region that includes the capital city, Hargeisa. The town serves as a local centre for the surrounding agricultural and pastoral communities.

In general, Somaliland faces significant health challenges. According to the Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey of 2020, the region struggles with high rates of maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and infectious diseases. The survey highlights the need for improvements in healthcare infrastructure, including better access to medical facilities and trained healthcare professionals.

Salahlay District hospital servers a population of more than 60,000 from Somaliland and across the Ethiopian boarder. For Salahlay specifically, being a rural district, these issues are likely magnified due to limited access to healthcare services and infrastructure. Rural areas often face higher rates of preventable diseases and complications due to the lack of medical facilities and resources.

EDO in partnership with Hadia Medical Swiss have established clean water, sustainable energy and waste management in Salahlay District hospital as part of phase 1 (stable status quo) of a 5-year program.

Hadia Medical Swiss is providing support in several key areas for the improvement of Salahley Hospital. These areas include:

Training of Medical Staff: Hadia Medical Swiss may be focusing on enhancing the skills and expertise of the medical personnel at Salahley Hospital. This could involve workshops, hands-on training, or certification programs to ensure that the staff is equipped with the latest medical knowledge and techniques.

Improving Water and Electricity: Infrastructure development, especially the reliable supply of clean water and electricity, is critical for the smooth operation of any hospital. Improving these utilities will significantly impact the hospital’s ability to provide consistent and safe healthcare services.

Future Plans to Build an Operating Theater: The addition of an operating theater would be a major upgrade for Salahley Hospital, allowing it to perform surgeries and provide a higher level of medical care. This would transform the hospital from a basic healthcare facility into a center capable of handling more complex medical procedures.

The combination of these initiatives will likely have a long-lasting impact on the community, improving both the quality and accessibility of healthcare.