Ayaan Hassan, a Somali midwife born in Sweden, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Medical Mission’s Kindness Award for her remarkable contribution to the care of mothers and babies in Somaliland.
For the past eight years, she has dedicated her time, money, and expertise to train midwives and health workers in Gabiley, Somaliland, which has greatly improved the birth outcomes in the region.
As a specialist in midwifery and women’s health in Sweden, Ayan Hassan felt a deep responsibility to use her knowledge to help mothers and newborns in her home country. During her visit to Somaliland, she encountered the harsh realities of inadequate maternal care, where preventable birth complications often led to tragic outcomes. Determined to make a difference, she began making an annual, all-expenses-paid trip to Somaliland, devoting a month to training local midwives and equipping them with life-saving skills.
Recognizing the urgent need for professional development, Ayan Hassan focused on addressing common but dangerous problems such as postpartum hemorrhage and obstructed labor. Without adequate medical infrastructure, many midwives lacked the training needed to deal with emergencies, resulting in high maternal and child mortality rates. Through her efforts, she has empowered dozens of health workers with important medical knowledge, many of whom have since gone on to further education and now have a significant impact on their communities.
In 2017, Ayan Hassan’s efforts received official support when she contacted the former mayor of Gabiley Mohamed Amin Omar. Recognizing the importance of her mission, city officials agreed to provide security, lodging, and logistical assistance, allowing her to expand her work and ensure the sustainability of the project. Over time, what began as an individual initiative turned into a systematic program, with local health care providers taking an active role in improving maternal care standards across the state.
Ayaan Hassan’s transparency has not gone unnoticed, and her work has earned her the 2025 Health Vision Award, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on global health care. This award received a sum of $3,000, which she promised to reinvest in supporting midwives in Gabiley. Her plan includes providing midwives with professional uniforms, reinforcing their important role in maternal health care, and ensuring they have the tools they need to do their jobs.
Based on the progress made in the last eight years, Ayan Hassan expressed how proud she is to see the tangible results of her efforts. Many of the women she first trained now work in hospitals, while others have taken up teaching roles at universities, further spreading knowledge and expertise in maternal health. Some of her former employees have personally reached out to express their gratitude, sharing stories about how her lessons have helped them save lives.
“When I visit Gabiley, I see the change firsthand,” said Ayan Hassan. “The women I trained are now at the forefront of healthcare efforts, and that is the most rewarding part of this journey.”
This move is an encouragement to Somali professionals in the diaspora, urging them to contribute their skills and knowledge to uplift communities in need. The Swedish charity Läkarmissionen, which presented this award to Ayan Hassan, praised her for her tireless commitment to the care of mothers and children in Somaliland.
“Ayan Hassan is a wonderful person. Despite her limited finances, she dedicated herself to the development of maternal and child health in Somaliland. Her efforts saved lives and inspired others to contribute,” the agency said.
As she continues her work, Ayaan Hassan is focused on expanding training opportunities, advocating for better health care policies, and ensuring that midwives in Somaliland receive the recognition and support they deserve. Her mission demonstrates the power of individual action to change lives and strengthen health care systems, proving that one person’s creativity can create lasting change.
Drs. Edna Adan Ismail, a well-known midwife who is one of the women who work in health issues in Somaliland, has made significant changes in the last 20 years, especially in saving mothers and babies, and has received an international award for her medical activities in Somaliland.