Strengthening Critical Care in Mogadishu: EECC Training and Assessments at Royal and Demartino Hospitals
In Mogadishu, Somalia, two hospitals—Royal Hospital (private) and Demartino Hospital (public)—are taking important steps to improve emergency and critical care. Through Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) training and facility assessments, they are ensuring that healthcare workers can recognize and respond to life-threatening conditions with simple, effective interventions.
Dr Isse B. Mohamed introducing EECC Training
EECC Training for Hospital Staff
Led by Dr. Isse B. Mohamed, an anesthesiologist and critical care specialist, EECC training has been implemented across both hospitals. The goal is to equip healthcare workers with life-saving skills that can be applied in any setting. The training, developed by The EECC Network, focuses on:
Identifying critically ill patients early using vital signs
Airway management, including clearing obstructions and using basic devices
Breathing support, such as oxygen therapy and ventilation
Circulation management, including stopping bleeding and fluid resuscitation
Managing unconscious patients, seizures, and glucose levels
Infection control, pain management, and early patient mobilization
Unlike many specialized medical courses, EECC training is designed for all hospital staff—not just doctors and nurses. At Royal and Demartino Hospitals, the training sessions included general practitioners, nurses, administration, logistics, finance staff, and even hospital cleaners. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring better patient outcomes.
EECC Training at Royal Hospital
EECC Facility Assessments: Ensuring Readiness for Critical Care
Alongside training, facility assessments were carried out to evaluate the hospitals' ability to provide essential emergency care. The assessments were divided into two parts:
Resource Availability & Readiness
Evaluating hospital-level and bedside-level resources
Scoring facilities on their ability to provide EECC
EECC Care Provision
Identifying critically ill patients using quick screening tools
Assessing whether critically ill patients are receiving appropriate interventions such as oxygen, intravenous fluids, or airway management
This data-driven approach ensures that hospitals are not only trained but also have the necessary resources to implement EECC effectively. By pinpointing gaps in care, hospital management can prioritize improvements and ensure that patients receive timely, life-saving interventions.
A National Vision for EECC in Somalia
Dr. Mohamed’s efforts extend beyond these two hospitals. He is working on establishing a National Hub for EECC, aiming to make EECC a standard practice in hospitals across Somalia. His leadership ensures that healthcare staff not only learn EECC principles but also integrate them into their daily routines.
Why EECC Matters
Every day, patients in Somalia and around the world die from treatable emergencies simply because basic interventions are not provided in time. EECC addresses this gap with affordable, scalable solutions that save lives. The work at Royal and Demartino Hospitals is a step towards making high-quality emergency care accessible to all.
As Dr. Mohamed puts it: “I wanted our staff to understand the full scope of EECC, from training to facility improvements. The good thing is, they got the message loud and clear.”
With continued investment in EECC training and facility readiness, we can ensure that every patient receives the care they need—when they need it most.