Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) medical team in Kismayu operating in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on 02 November 2022, started an eight weeks mentorship program for the Somalia Security Forces (SSF) medical team in abid to sharpen their skills in handling patients.
The seven medics are undergoing both theoretical and practical lessons on Tactical casualty combat care, medical ethics and principles of nursing care. They are also joining the KDF medical personel while conducting daily hospital routines to equip them with managerial skills to run the hospital.
The mentorship program which has targeted four main areas of a hospital operations: pharmacy, laboratory technician, clinical officers and nurses is in line with ATMIS’s mandate on capacity building of SSF as they prepare to take on security responsibilities by December 2024 and will be on rotation basis.
Rage Rabi Kulu, SSF clinical officer undertaking the course pointed out that the mentorship program is a game changer in skillset acquisition.
“We are lucky to learn from the KDF medic team. Once we take the security responsibilities, it will be our burden to shoulder now. The skills we get here are vital for our colleagues who will be dependent on us. We are grateful for this gesture of brotherhood,” added Kulu.
The Senior Medical Officer, Kismayu Forward Operating Base (FOB), Lieutenant Colonel Onyango indicated KDF’s commitment to mentoring the SSF in order to take up security responsibilities and other sectors of Somalia.
Source: Ministry of Health