New Veterinary Centre Brings Hope to Somalia’s Struggling Pastoralists

A wave of relief is spreading through rural communities in Somalia’s Galgadud region, where the recent opening of a veterinary treatment centre in Bahdo is giving pastoralists a fighting chance to save their livestock—and their livelihoods. For the first time in years, sick animals are being treated professionally, and at no cost, offering hope in a region long plagued by livestock disease and limited access to veterinary care.

Source: The Eastleigh Voice

The centre, established by the Galmudug state administration and opened on June 1, 2025, has already treated nearly 2,000 animals brought in by around 500 families. Led by Dr. Jama Ali Mohamed and a dedicated team of five veterinarians, the facility is addressing deadly conditions like pneumonia, measles, and tick infestations—diseases that have wiped out herds and left families on the brink of collapse.

For herders like Mahmud Osman Abdi, who lost 47 goats in May alone, the new centre arrived just in time. With no money for private treatment, he had relied on traditional herbs and prayers. Now, his remaining goats—once weak and dropping dead in the dirt—are eating, moving, and recovering. It’s the first time in his 18 years of pastoral life that he’s received free veterinary support.

Food shortages had hit his household hard after the goats stopped producing milk, forcing Mahmud to depend on relatives for survival. But the turnaround has brought cautious optimism. He’s hopeful that, once healthy, his animals can be sold at the market again—restoring both income and dignity to his family.

The impact stretches beyond a single household. Abdi Ali Dirshe’s 170 goats were all treated last month, following a devastating loss of 22 animals. With his herd recovering, he hopes to clear the $160 debt he racked up feeding his family on credit during the crisis. He recalls watching animals fall ill and die overnight, helpless to stop it. Now, those same goats are moving freely again, no longer weakened by illness.

Dr. Jama and his team are working to ensure the progress continues. Beyond treating animals, they’re educating communities on disease prevention and preparing mobile vet units to reach remote herders. For the people of Bahdo, the new centre is more than a medical facility—it’s a lifeline in a region where losing livestock often means losing everything.