A new mother who recently gave birth at Hargeisa General Hospital was found hanged inside the facility, prompting authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
HARGEISA, Somalia (Somali Report) — A woman who had given birth on August 8 at Hargeisa General Hospital was found hanged inside the hospital, prompting security authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, hospital officials said.
The woman, identified as Nimco Jama Yusuf, had arrived at the hospital about a week earlier while pregnant and gave birth there, according to the hospital administration. Officials said the mother and her newborn were initially in good condition following the delivery.
The baby later developed breathing difficulties and was placed on oxygen before being transferred to the maternal and neonatal care unit, the hospital said. Nimco and her baby remained at the facility for about a week, with some of her relatives staying with them during their hospitalisation.
Reports indicate that the woman, who was from a low-income family, was asked to pay money when she sought medical treatment for her sick child, but she could not afford the payment. Hospital officials said there had been no complaint from her indicating that she was facing problems with the cost or quality of the services she was receiving.
The administration said Nimco was reported missing from the hospital on Saturday night. Security personnel subsequently began searching for her within the hospital compound and surrounding areas.
Her body was found inside the hospital hours after giving birth, officials said. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, with security authorities expected to establish what happened between the time she was reported missing and when her body was discovered.
The incident has raised questions about the woman’s physical and psychological condition following childbirth, as well as the circumstances she experienced during her stay at the hospital.
Her family has reportedly rejected claims that her death was caused by difficulties or obstacles related to the services provided by Hargeisa General Hospital.
Somali Report · Newsletter
Your morning briefing on Somalia's biggest stories — politics, security, business, and the people shaping the region's future.
Meanwhile, Somaliland opposition party Kaah strongly condemned the death and described it as a disturbing incident that raised concerns about the quality and accountability of healthcare services.
The opposition party accused the hospital administration of failing to provide adequate services and claimed that treatment costs had become a burden for some patients. It further alleged that Nimco took her own life because of poor medical care and hospital expenses that she could not afford.
The allegations made by the opposition party have not been independently verified. They also conflict with the hospital’s account that Nimco had not raised complaints about financial problems, poor healthcare or other difficulties during her stay.
The hospital has not publicly disclosed whether Nimco received psychological support or assessment during her admission. It has also not provided further details about her mental state before she died.
The case has renewed attention on the importance of mental health support for women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Health experts and rights advocates have increasingly highlighted the need to identify and support mothers experiencing emotional or psychological distress during the postpartum period.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Nimco’s death, including whether any institutional, medical, or personal factors played a role.
The incident has caused concern among residents in Hargeisa and renewed calls for greater attention to patient safety and mental health support within hospitals.
Officials have urged the public to avoid concluding the circumstances of the death until the investigation is completed. Nimco’s family is mourning her death while authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
Towfiiq Party Led by Sheikh Shaakir Excluded from Galmudug Repeat Election
