Turkish aid body provides health support in Somaliland

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's state aid agency provided medical equipment to a hospital in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) said 216 devices and medical equipment including an ultrasound device, echocardiography equipment, autoclave were provided for the Hargeisa State Hospital, which serves around 3 million patients.

Turkish Ambassador in Mogadishu Mehmet Yilmaz, Somaliland Health Minister Hassan Ismail Yusuf and TIKA's coordinator in Somalia Galip Yilmaz attended the delivery ceremony of the medical supplies.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yusuf said the equipment provided by Turkey will contribute to the people of Somaliland receiving healthcare in much better circumstances.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Yilmaz emphasized the brotherhood between the people of Turkey and Somalia.

He said: “Turkey will continue to increase assistance in the region. We welcome the Somaliland administration deporting the FETO [Fetullah Terrorist Organization] terror group and handing the management of the FETO-linked schools over to the Maarif Foundation.”

Turkey established the Maarif Foundation after 2016 defeated coup attempt to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.