MSF announced that it will be pulling out of that region due to the increased volatility and repeated security incidents that have impacted the safe delivery of medical care.

Las Anod General Hospital was hit during fighting between the forces of Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region and local clan-based militias in the latest incident this month, causing injuries among medical staff and caretakers.

The attack also damaged an ambulance and forced the closure of the hospital's maternity ward.

MSF Somalia Somalia Country Director Dana Krause confirmed the difficulty they have had to ensure the safety of staff and their patients amid the unpredictable and volatile environment.

“This was indeed a very difficult decision to be made, because violence has been affecting the area for the last few months, since February this year, actually. It has become more difficult to provide services for patients, and even more importantly to ensure the safety and security of both patients and medical personnel.

“As it stands today, we found it more difficult to manage the situation and have this baseline in place, which led to this very difficult decision,” Krause said.

Krause said the infrastructure has also been comprised by the situation. She said they were preparing to donate medical supplies for the hospital for the treatment of patients wounded in the war.

--ChannelAfrica--