Kenyan troops serving under AUSSOM visited Afmadow General Hospital to assess healthcare needs, discuss operational challenges and explore cooperation with hospital management.
Afmadow General Hospital is preparing to relocate to larger premises, with construction expected to be completed by December 2026.
The KDF engagement highlighted priority healthcare needs while strengthening institutional cooperation and civil-military relations in Somalia.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have visited Afmadow General Hospital to assess healthcare needs and explore opportunities for cooperation with the facility’s management.
The engagement formed part of the troops’ Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and Key Leader Engagement initiatives, which support interaction with local institutions and communities.
According to KDF, discussions focused on healthcare delivery, operational challenges and potential areas of collaboration to support community welfare.
Afmadow General Hospital serves residents of Afmadow District and receives patients referred from neighbouring districts. The Level I facility operates with support from the government and non-governmental organisations.
The hospital is preparing to relocate to larger premises currently under construction, with completion anticipated by December 2026.
The new facility is expected to expand healthcare capacity, improve service delivery and increase access to essential medical services for surrounding communities. Its development was among the issues highlighted during the engagement.
The visit allowed the troops and hospital management to identify priority healthcare needs and consider practical interventions. It also provided a platform to strengthen institutional cooperation as the hospital prepares for its planned relocation.
KDF described engagement with local healthcare institutions as part of its wider efforts to promote community resilience, public well-being and sustainable peace.
Through continued CIMIC activities, Kenyan troops seek to strengthen community trust and civil-military relations while contributing to humanitarian efforts that complement AUSSOM’s broader peace and stabilisation mandate in Somalia.
The Afmadow visit highlighted the role of dialogue with local service providers in understanding community needs and identifying opportunities for cooperation.