Road closures in the Hodan district by the local government have become common, leading to significant disruptions in the area’s traffic flow. Unfortunately, these disruptions have dire consequences, often resulting in traffic congestion, leading to tragic accidents and loss of life.
In 2009, *Awad left Somalia and travelled to Turkey to study. Upon his return in 2018, he rejoined his family and settled in Hodan District. He noticed increased insecurity in the area and cases of robberies. Awad decided to seek employment. Despite his skills and knowledge, the process proved to be more difficult than he anticipated. His qualifications were not as important as he had hoped they would be.
One day, Awad’s mother suffered a heart attack near KM4. When Awad received the news, he quickly ran towards KM4 and called an ambulance for urgent medical assistance. Once the ambulance arrived, they headed towards Zoobe and Madina Hospital. However, their journey was abruptly halted by an unexpected road closure imposed by a sudden government order. The resulting traffic jam caught them off guard, leaving them uncertain about the best course of action; all the while, Awad’s mother’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Compounded by the lack of guidance from the paramedic team, the situation grew more dire, ultimately leading to the tragic death of Awad’s mother.
Reflecting on this experience, Awad emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive training to foster a culture of respect for emergency vehicles such as ambulances to ensure that individuals needing urgent medical attention can receive the timely care they need.