Somaliland Native Doctors In The Diaspora Should Contribute To Their Community Like Dr. Idan

By Hashi Hassan Hashi Urdooh., Hargeysa, Somaliland

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, on a faithful Friday morning, I came down with the flu and every bone of my body was aching with pain. I, then, decided to go and see a doctor and living in Somaliland, I am sure most of you are familiar with the defining silence of Hargeysa. Like any other Islamic country/state, Fridays are public holidays. Two weeks prior to my illness, a friend of mine had the same symptom, he then kindly mentioned to me about a general practitioner not far from my residence, and I should see him. Without thinking about it twice, I decided to pay a visit, and after a short drive I arrived at the front gate. Anxiously, I knocked on the front door, few seconds later, it opened and was humbly greeted by a lady with elegance and class whom happened to be the wife of the doctor. After greeting her back, I asked if I could see the doctor? She then replied; “He is currently unavailable, however, he will be glad to see you after breaking his fast". With no doctors available on Fridays, I immediately said, "of course Madame; I will come and see him then". The person I am talking about goes by the name Dr. Ibrahim Omar Yussuf (Idan) a volunteer medical doctor operating from his home. In recognition of his outstanding selfless service to his community, I decided to write this short anecdote about him. Dr. Idan and his wife, also in the medical field live in Europe, ( Sweden), and on a yearly basis come to their native land ( Somaliland) to help anyone in need of medical attention. Unlike most doctors, Dr. Idan does not come here to inject money in to his pocket, rather, he examines his patients free of charge. When I came back later that day, I did not wait long before he examined me and prescribed a dose of medicine. The doctor and I then started to have an interesting conversation, some general views about Somaliland. I then quickly learned that this amiable man possesses sincere passion within his heart that believes the importance of the well-being of his people.

Despite encountering few obstacles, the ambitious doctor did not flinch; rather, he took the ying with the yang and proceeded his obligation with genuine loyalty. Through out history, entertainers and sports figures have displaced doctors, and all humanitarian workers, as the most important individuals in society, and in some cases, the most admired. Sir Winston Churchill once asked; “Can modern communities do without great men?” I personally would say no. Valiant, loyal and praiseworthy persons like Dr. Idan are inevitable, and we need to realize that by taking advantage of such opportunities, but if we decide to underrate, or remain ignorantly oblivious, then, we lose not them. Dr. Idan’s unknown acts of generosity, diligence and expertise have indeed enhanced countless lives of Somalilanders including myself of course, and on behalf of all Somalilanders my hat goes off to him and all alike, they indeed keep many hopes alive. Finally, I would like to take the time to thank God for immense blessing, I would also like to express my deep appreciation to this doctor and his wife for taking time off from their extremely tight schedule talking to me, they are, without a question on my part, worthy of noble prize indeed.

Stay Healthy.

Hashi Hassan Hashi Urdooh.

Contributing writer for Somaliland Times.

E-mail:urdooh@yahoo.com

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