The first day that nurse intern Yahye Abdirahman reported to work in the operating theater at Keysaney Hospital in Mogadishu, a patient came in with serious gunshot wounds. Yahye assisted as senior surgeons steered the patient out of danger, calling the opportunity to help “a dream come true.”

Dr. Tajir examines an xray from a patient as Yahye looks on.

“This completely made me feel proud,” Yahye said of his first surgery in April.

Growing up in the Somali capital that has seen devastating fighting and bomb attacks over the last decade, Yahye said that early on in his life he developed an interest in assisting victims of violence. “As a student I could not wait to finish my studies,” the 21-year-old said.

Keysaney Hospital has played a key role in providing emergency medical care for people affected by conflict. For Yahye, he appreciates that the hospital also gives an opportunity to aspiring nurses to learn and be involved.

“I would love to see more medical students take part of this noble course with the aim of improving the lives of the communities. I believe we can be the change,” said Yahye, who will finish his internship early next year.

Yahye has undergone nursing training in areas such as surgery, dressings and sutures. Through the guidance of the hospital’s chief surgeon, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed – known widely as Dr. Tajir — Yahye is now able to assist surgeons in treating specialized cases.

Keysaney is one of Somalia’s top hospitals. In between January and May 2015, over 700 patients were admitted at the hospital of which 217 were weapon-wounded related cases. ICRC supports 4 hospitals in South and Central Somalia, including Keysaney hospital, that are fully equipped to attend to weapon wounded cases.

The operation theatre of Keysaney hospital, Mogadishu.