Quick Facts
- Born: September 8, 1937 • Hargeisa, British Somaliland (now Somaliland)
- Known For:
- Founder of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, a premier maternal and infant health center in East Africa
- Former First Lady of Somalia and Minister of Social Affairs
- Tireless activist against female genital mutilation (FGM) and advocate for women’s health
- Somaliland’s first qualified nurse-midwife
- Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland
- Committed to training the next generation of midwives and healthcare professionals
Legacy
Edna Adan Ismail has revolutionized maternal healthcare in East Africa, saving countless lives through midwifery and advocacy. As a nurse, activist, and founder of a hospital, she has fought against FGM, championed women’s rights, and trained thousands of healthcare workers. Her efforts continue to shape the future of maternal health across Africa.
Trailblazing Achievements
Born in 1937 in British Somaliland, Edna Adan Ismail was raised in a family that valued education—her father was one of the region’s first doctors. However, growing up, she saw firsthand how women’s health was often neglected and how dangerous childbirth could be without proper medical care. Determined to change this, she left for Britain in the 1950s to train as a nurse and midwife at Borough Polytechnic (now known as London South Bank University). She later returned to Somaliland as the country’s first professionally trained midwife.
Fighting for Women’s Health and Rights
As a midwife, Edna witnessed the devastating effects of female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice prevalent in her community. Unlike many, she refused to accept it as “tradition” and became one of the first voices in Africa to speak out against FGM. Her passionate advocacy made her a controversial figure, but she never backed down. She educated women, trained midwives, and worked tirelessly to reduce maternal deaths caused by unsafe childbirth and FGM-related complications.
First Lady and Beyond: From Politics to Public Health
In 1969, Edna became the First Lady of Somalia when she married Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, the then-Prime Minister. However, she was never one to quietly accept a ceremonial role. Instead, she used her platform to advocate for better healthcare and education in Somalia. But her world was turned upside down when the country descended into civil war. Her husband was imprisoned, and she was forced into exile. She lost everything—her home, her country, and her future. Most people would have given up, but Edna built something greater.
Building a Hospital from the Ground Up
- After years in exile, Edna returned to Somaliland with a new mission: to build a hospital where none existed. She witnessed women dying in childbirth due to preventable complications—something she could not accept.
- She sold her assets, used her savings, and personally oversaw the construction to establish the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa, which opened in 2002.
- It wasn’t just a hospital—it was a lifeline for thousands of women.
- Over 30,000 babies have been delivered at the hospital.
- It has trained hundreds of midwives and nurses who now work throughout the region.
- It has become a center of excellence for maternal and infant healthcare in East Africa.
A Legacy That Transcends Borders
Edna didn’t stop with just one hospital; she has since trained thousands of midwives and healthcare professionals to ensure women in remote areas have access to safe childbirth. She also served as Somaliland’s Minister of Social Affairs and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, leveraging her platform to advocate for international recognition and improved healthcare policies. Even in her 80s, Edna remains an unstoppable force, continuing to run her hospital, educate new midwives, and speak out against gender-based violence and FGM.
Controversies
As a vocal critic of FGM in a region where the practice is deeply entrenched, Edna has faced resistance, threats, and cultural backlash. Some accused her of “betraying tradition,” while others attempted to silence her. But she refused to back down. Instead, she adopted an educational approach, working within communities to illustrate the scientific and medical dangers of FGM, aiding in changing minds from within. Today, thanks to her advocacy, FGM rates in Somaliland have declined significantly, and more families are choosing to abandon the practice. Her fight for Somaliland’s independence has also been controversial. While Somaliland has operated as an independent nation for decades, it is not officially recognized by the international community. Edna has been one of its strongest voices on the global stage.
In Her Own Words
- “I don’t want to die until I have used every single drop of my energy to help women.”
Edna has been dedicated to saving lives and fighting for women’s rights. - “I built a hospital to give my people the best chance to survive childbirth.”
She didn’t wait for someone else to fix the problem—she made it happen herself. - “A midwife can do more to save a mother’s life than a doctor can.”
Midwives are the backbone of maternal health, especially in underserved communities. - “Tradition is not always right. We must change what harms us.”
Her fearless stance against harmful practices like FGM has saved countless lives.
Her Lasting Legacy
Edna Adan Ismail’s legacy goes beyond the walls of her hospital—it lives in every midwife she trained, every mother she saved, and every woman she empowered.
Her hospital continues to be a leading force in maternal healthcare in East Africa.
Her advocacy against FGM has helped reduce the practice and protect future generations.
Her work training midwives has strengthened healthcare in some of the most underserved communities.
At 80+, she is still not done.
Personal Reflections
Edna’s story resonates deeply with me as a midwife and women’s health advocate.
She saw women suffering—not just in childbirth but from harmful traditions that had been passed down for generations. Instead of accepting things as they were, she changed them.
Her commitment to training midwives speaks to me on a profound level. She understands that real change isn’t about building just one hospital—it’s about building an army of caregivers who can continue the work.
As someone who has dedicated my life to empowering women through birth, I can’t help but feel inspired and in awe of her resilience.
She is not just a hospital founder.
She is not just an advocate.
She is a force of nature.
For that, she will always be amazing.
Key Milestones
Additional Reading
- Edna Adan Maternity Hospital
- Edna Adan – Wikipedia
- A Woman of Firsts (Her Memoir)
- BBC Interview: The Woman Who Built a Hospital
- TEDx: Midwifery & Women’s Health
Note: Full disclosure: SHEis Online earns a small (very small) commission on any links in the article that take you to Amazon.
—- Stay Strong! Jaelin —-
Find out more about Jaelin’s Homebirth Practice (Holistic Heritage Homebirth) in Houston, TX
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