Ayaan Hassan, a Somali-born Swedish midwife, has been recognized with the 2025 Medical Mission’s Kindness Award for her transformative work in maternal healthcare in Somaliland. Over the past eight years, Hassan has trained midwives and healthcare workers in Gabiley, providing critical medical education and support to improve childbirth outcomes in the region.
Hassan, who has spent years in Sweden specializing in midwifery and women’s health, felt a strong calling to contribute her expertise to her homeland. During visits to Somaliland, she was struck by the urgent need for better maternal healthcare.
“I couldn’t ignore the gaps in medical services,” she told the BBC. “So I made it my mission to return every year at my own expense, dedicating a month to training and assisting wherever I could.”
Her work has focused on equipping local midwives with life-saving skills to manage emergency childbirth complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage and obstructed labour. With limited medical infrastructure, Hassan has provided training that has empowered dozens of healthcare workers, many of whom have since pursued higher education in the medical field.
Hassan’s initiative gained government backing in 2017 when she approached Gabiley’s mayor, Mohamed, for assistance.
“I told him that I wasn’t wealthy but was willing to contribute my time and knowledge,” she said. “He assured me they would cover security, accommodation, and other logistical needs during our stay. That support allowed us to continue our work.”
Her project has grown into a sustainable initiative, with local healthcare providers now taking an active role in improving maternal care standards across the region.
Hassan’s commitment earned her the Medical Mission’s Kindness Award, which honours individuals making a significant impact in global healthcare. The recognition came with a $3,000 cash prize, which she has pledged to reinvest in Gabiley’s midwives.
“I’m using the money to provide professional uniforms for midwives in Gabiley,” she said. “They are the foundation of maternal healthcare, and I want to support them however I can.”
Eight years into her mission, Hassan sees tangible improvements. Many of the women she initially trained now work in hospitals or teach at universities. Some have expressed gratitude, telling her they remember her lessons whenever they assist a mother in labour.
“When I visit Gabiley, I see the change firsthand,” she said. “The women I trained are now leading healthcare efforts, and that’s the most rewarding part of this journey.”
Hassan hopes her story will inspire Somali professionals in the diaspora to find ways to contribute their skills and knowledge to communities in need.
Läkarmissionen, the Swedish humanitarian organization that granted her the award, praised Hassan’s unwavering dedication to improving maternal and child healthcare in Somaliland.
“Ayaan Hassan is a remarkable individual. Despite limited resources, she has dedicated herself to advancing maternal and child health in Somalia. Her efforts have saved lives and inspired others to contribute,” the organization said in a statement.