In the remote Diinsoor District of the Bay Region, where geographical isolation and systemic fragility often create barriers to life-saving health interventions, the compelling burn case and recovery of three-year-old Marwaan Yusuf stands as a profound testament to the impact of accessible, localized primary healthcare in places where healthcare provision is limited to bigger towns. For vulnerable communities in Waaberi village, an accidental injury in a high-risk environment can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation without immediate clinical intervention. This was the critical reality of mother Nacima Dahir Cali when her young son sustained a severe burn to his upper chest in November 2025. Knowing that every moment counted, Nacima rushed to the Ahmed Gurey Health Facility for help. This center, run by the New Ways Organization and supported by the Somalia Humanitarian Fund, provides a vital lifeline for families in the area, offering the urgent care children need when every second is critical for their survival.
When Nciima brought her child to the health centre, the medical team acted quickly. They moved him straight from the front door into a specialized care plan to make sure the burn didn’t lead to a dangerous infection or permanent scarring. The doctors and nurses have utilized their resources in the centre to give medical assistance to Marwan. “We gently but thoroughly cleaned the wound using a simple salt-water solution (normal saline) and a medical disinfectant (iodine). Once the area was clean, they applied high-quality sterile bandages.” This created a clean “shield” over his skin, which kept germs out and allowed his body to start the natural process of growing new, healthy skin. One of Marwaan’s nurses reflected on his wounds.
“When Marwaan was admitted, the severity of the trauma was compounded by the mother’s acute distress,” notes Dr. Isack Abdinur, the lead physician at the facility. “Our primary objective was to stabilize the patient through immediate pain management and strict infection control. In a humanitarian context like Diinsoor, the window for effective intervention is narrow; providing quality care in that first hour is what prevents long-term disability or mortality.”
“This clinical response was reinforced by an integrated pharmacological regimen tailored to the specific needs of a pediatric patient.” Marwaan was prescribed silver burn cream for topical healing, Paracetamol to manage pain and febrile responses, and a course of Amoxicillin to safeguard against secondary bacterial infections, a common complication in underserved areas. Over the course of three consecutive weeks, Marwaan and his mother returned to the facility for consistent monitoring and dressing changes.
“The clinical care we provided was only half of the battle,” Dr. Isack explains. “By ensuring Marwaan received high-quality topical treatments and antibiotics simultaneously, we successfully bypassed the complications that usually lead to surgical needs in these remote areas” “We want medical supplies and hygiene equipments to conduct such burn cases,” Isack went on emphasizing the need for medical resource in his centre
During Marwaan’s recovery period, the medical team has met with Naciima to provide a comprehensive fire and safety plan to avoid future burn cases in her family and community. In each meeting. Nacima. During each appointment, the staff sat down with her for friendly teaching sessions focused on keeping her family safe at home. They discussed simple ways to handle fire and hot liquids more carefully and emphasized why it is so important to bring a child to the clinic the moment an injury or illness happens. By sharing these tips, the team helped Nacima build the skills to prevent future accidents before they start.
Nacima Dahir Cali reflected on this empowerment, saying: “From the moment we arrived at Ahmed Gurey, the team treated my child with dignity and took the time to explain the ‘why’ behind every bandage. I realized that my quick decision to come here, rather than trying home remedies, was what kept my son’s heart beating.”
The impact of this holistic, community-centered approach was transformative. After twenty-one days of sustained care, Marwaan’s wound transformed without secondary complications. This case highlights that NWO’s mission goes beyond acute treatment; it is about reinforcing the primary healthcare system to ensure that the most marginalized populations have access to dignified and accountable services.
“I learned so much about how to keep my children safe at home while watching my son get stronger every day,” Nacima added. “Through early care-seeking and education, my child fully recovered. Timely care and teamwork saved Marwaan’s life, and for that, I am eternally grateful to the doctors and nurses that support this recovery journey.”
New Ways Organization remains a vital frontline partner in Somalia, where health crises and environmental shocks continuously challenge the resilience of the healthcare sector. By maintaining well-equipped facilities and a trained workforce in hard-to-reach districts like Diinsoor, NWO directly reduces preventable child mortality and contributes to the stabilization of local health systems.
“The education we provide is just as life-saving as the medicine itself,” Dr. Isack Abdinur concludes. “By building the capacity of caregivers like Nacima to recognize risks and respond correctly, we are strengthening the first line of defense at the household level. Marwaan’s recovery is a benchmark for what can be achieved through sustained humanitarian investment.”
This is when Marwaan’s medical treatment has finished. We could not show the previous picture of him with burns as some readers may find it disturbing.
New Ways is grateful to the ongoing support of the Somali Humanitarian Fund that not only supports communities but health wounds hearts and minds. We will continue to be an organization that serves the most vulnerable communities in Somalia.
