My name is Dr. Emilie Salomons. I am a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncturist and Doula, who focuses on reproductive health justice, as well as supporting humanized, physiological birth around the world.

There is a growing global demand for humanized, safe and equitable birth practices.

Somaliland has one of the HIGHEST Maternal-Infant mortality rates in the world, which is why the Dr. Edna Adan Foundation has made it their mission to improve Maternal and Infant health throughout their hospitals and training facilities.

By the request of Dr. Edna Adan herself, and on behalf of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association and Maternal and Infant Health Canada, myself and my colleague Dr. Kate Levett, will be heading to Hargeisa, Somaliland (February 2024) to provide an Acupressure & massage for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum training. We will train 40 Midwives, Obstetricians and Nurses, as well as local future trainers, in order to continue and increase the impact. We will also be conducting research on birth experience.

Why Acupressure in Somaliland?

Acupressure offers a safe and cost-effective way to support physiological birth. Currently, there are NO PAIN RELIEF TOOLS available for birth in Somaliland and therefore the desire for safe, "low tech", cost-effective pain management support is very high. Acupressure is also complementary to birthing best practices and can be easily adapted to different regions, environments, cultures and individual needs. Acupressure helps reduce the need for costly (and not always available) obstetrical medical interventions and improves both birth outcomes and experiences. Repeatedly, acupressure has proven to be an invaluable tool to humanize birth, provide connection and pain relief, heal trauma, and empower the birthing person.

Fund allocation:

Most volunteer organizations have large fundraising teams, but also spend a lot of fundraised money on administrative costs and promotion. 100% of the money raised in this Go Fund Me campaign is going to transportation, while the Edna Adan Foundation will be covering the cost of training, accommodation, translation and food.

A "train the trainer" model will also be applied, with continued virtual support from Dr Levett and myself, adding another level of sustainability and accountability.

About Somaliland:

Somaliland’s health care system was utterly destroyed by the civil war leaving the country with, among other problems, the highest rate of maternal and infant mortality in the world. It is a goal of the Edna Adan Hospital not only to train fully-qualified health care professionals but also to train and dispatch 1,000 midwives throughout the country.

Another very important goal is to fight the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is endemic throughout this region.

To learn more about Dr. Edna Adan Ismail and her work: