Hormuud Salaam Foundation on Saturday held a special appreciation ceremony in Mogadishu to recognize Italian medical professionals and partners who played a key role in providing life-saving heart surgeries to 24 Somali children at Niguarda Hospital in Milan, Italy.
Those honored included renowned cardiac surgeon Prof. Stefano Marianeschi, Dr. Stefano Mazzoleni, Italy’s Ambassador to Somalia H.E. Piere Dacco, and Ms. Edna Moallin Abdirahman, whose initiative and coordination were instrumental to the success of the humanitarian program.
The event brought together senior government officials, led by the Second Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Jibriil Xaaji Abdirashiid Cabdi. Also in attendance were cabinet ministers, members of parliament, the former Governor of the Banadir Region H.E. Yusuf Hussein Jimcaale (Madaale), representatives of Hormuud Salaam Foundation, members of the Italian medical team, the children who received treatment and their families, as well as other invited guests.
In his opening remarks, Abdullahi Nur Osman, CEO of Hormuud Salaam Foundation, highlighted the origins, progress, and impact of the initiative, describing it as a milestone in humanitarian healthcare cooperation. He expressed deep gratitude to Prof. Marianeschi for his long-standing commitment to treating Somali children and praised Ms. Edna Moallin Abdirahman for initiating and driving the project forward.
Osman also commended the Italian Embassy in Somalia for facilitating visas and travel arrangements, SIMAN and Welcare Hospitals for their coordination efforts, and the Somali Ministry of Health for providing crucial administrative support.
The ceremony underscored the importance of international partnerships in addressing critical healthcare gaps and reaffirmed Hormuud Salaam Foundation’s commitment to supporting life-saving medical programs for vulnerable Somali children.