Since its opening in 2015 in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital - named after the Turkish President, has won the hearts of the Somali people.
Construction began in 2012 and today the hospital treats about 40,000 patients monthly from across Somalia and, at times, from neighboring Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
As one of Somalia’s largest hospitals, one of East Africa’s leading medical centers, and Türkiye’s biggest overseas medical humanitarian project, the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital stands as one of the most visible symbols of brotherhood between Türkiye and Somalia.
For Somalis, it is more than just a hospital, it is a source of trust and hope.
With a capacity of around 250 beds, the hospital is equipped with modern facilities ranging from emergency care to intensive care, eight operating theaters, maternity units, neonatal ICUs, a burn center, a dialysis unit, and an angiography department.
The hospital also serves as a bridge on Somalia’s path toward lasting stability and prosperity, providing vital support for a fragile health system weakened by decades of civil war and inadequate infrastructure.
Chief Physician Dr. İbrahim Ağaoğlu emphasized that the hospital is not profit-oriented:
“The very purpose of this hospital is to provide the highest quality healthcare at the lowest possible cost to people in need here. This hospital provides the first and only health services in many fields in the country.”
“With the support of our President, this hospital not only provides healthcare services but also represents the brotherhood between the Somali and Turkish people. You can see this in every aspect - from the management to all the staff working here.”
“We provide services through the joint efforts of Somali and Turkish personnel. Currently, we employ about 170 Somali doctors, around 30 Turkish doctors, a total of 1,040 Somali staff, and 80 Turkish staff.”
The hospital also stands out for its educational role. Every year, hundreds of Somali doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers receive training and gain hands-on experience alongside specialists from Türkiye.
This is strategically significant in helping Somalia develop its own medical workforce.
Dr Ağaoğlu explained: “We are the only hospital abroad where one country trains specialist doctors for another. Not just specialists, there is also the Health Sciences University within the same campus, where nurses and technicians are trained. For example, the only two thoracic surgeons in the country graduated from our hospital and are currently working here.”
“The staff we train are employed at our hospital and at other hospitals in Somalia, according to the needs of the state. Most of the healthcare and training activities here are carried out by Somali staff we have trained, while personnel from Türkiye serve as coordinators, regulators, and fill in where needed.”
The Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital has also become a critical center during disasters and epidemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of tests and treatments were carried out there.
Ağaoğlu noted that alongside healthcare, the hospital runs educational programs.
“Since 2020, we have produced 128 specialist doctors, who now serve either in our hospital or in other facilities across Somalia. Previously, there were no specialists available and lives were lost to treatable conditions.”
Deputy Director Muhammed Hüseyin Ashraf described the hospital as “a living example of humanitarian diplomacy” and expressed deep gratitude to the Turkish government for providing such a service to Somali society.
“Previously, people had to travel abroad for healthcare, but now many of those services are available here, and people recognize this as a good hospital. We receive much appreciation from the community.”
“We also help vulnerable and poor patients who cannot afford the cost of treatment. Services like the burn center and intensive care unit, which are not available in Somali private hospitals, are provided free of charge to those who cannot afford.”
