From Somalia to Finland and Back: Diaspora Professionals Boost Maternal and Child Health Care

Helsinki, Finland / Garowe, Somalia - I was born in Somalia, but my family had to flee the war to Uganda during my childhood. In my early twenties, I moved to Finland where I pursued my nursing education and built a family with four beautiful children. I am currently pursuing my master's degree in health care leadership to further enhance my qualifications.  

My experiences as both a healthcare professional and a mother shaped my perspective on the importance of patient-centered care. When I joined IOM’s MIDA FINNSOM programme in July 2024, together with other dedicated professionals from the Somali diaspora, I saw an opportunity to bring my expertise back to Somalia and contribute to improving maternal and child health outcomes in my home country.  

Currently, I work as a diaspora expert nurse in the maternity ward in Garowe General Hospital, in Puntland State, Somalia, where I mentor young local professionals to strengthen their maternity care skills.Transferring my knowledge through training and coaching sessions, focus group discussions and various capacity building activities is also what drives me. In the ward, we provide specialized care for pregnant women, including antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Nurses and midwives play a key role in supporting women through pregnancy and birth while doctors manage high-risk pregnancies and complex cases. Together, our team ensures that every woman receives personalized and effective care during her pregnancy.    

Coming from Finland, where communication in healthcare is structured, empathetic, and patient-centered, I was surprised by the different dynamics in Somalia. Many patients and their families in Somalia are uninformed about their medical care and communication is often one-sided with little engagement between staff and patients. Therefore, I made it a priority to introduce myself to every new staff member, patient, and family member to build trust and respect.   

I began encouraging my colleagues to use different communication styles, especially when patients or families were feeling upset. Gradually, my colleagues began engaging with patients in a more compassionate and effective manner, and patients felt more comfortable discussing their care. I realized that mothers and their families responded positively. Even those who were initially impatient and demanding began to relax and express gratitude for the clarity provided.  

Over time, I observed positive changes, not only in the communication style of the staff but also in the overall experience of our patients and their families. They expressed their appreciation for being included in care discussions and the maternity ward began to feel like a place of mutual understanding rather than just a clinical environment.   

A significant moment came during a tense situation when doctors were about to begin rounds, and the hallway was crowded with concerned family members. I calmly explained that for privacy and effective care, family members needed to step outside. One woman raised her voice, questioning why they were being asked to leave. I reassured her that they would be the first to receive updates and that the doctors’ attention was crucial. After some hesitation, she agreed, and later thanked me for my explanation.  

I would like to continue building on these achievements and continue supporting healthcare in Somalia once my MIDA FINNSOM deployment ends. These experiences have reinforced my belief that effective communication is a fundamental pillar of quality healthcare. It’s not just about providing medical care—it’s about how that care is communicated, which profoundly impacts patient experiences and outcomes.

Funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aim of the MIDA FINNSOM programme is to strengthen the institutional capacities of Somalia to manage and realize their development goals through the transfer of knowledge, relevant skills and financial resources of Somali diaspora members. The MIDA initiative started in Somalia in 2008 with the first diaspora experts deployed in 2009.

This story was written by Mona Abdullahi, MIDA FINNSOM diaspora expert nurse.