🌍✈️ Back in 2007, 18-year-old Abdullahi Abditawab Jama packed his bags, left Somalia, and landed in the Chinese mainland—eager, curious, and ready for a world of new opportunities.
Fast-forward to today: Dr. Jama is a radiologist and president of the Somali Society of Radiology. He credits his study in the Chinese mainland with shaping his career and igniting his mission to rebuild Somalia’s health sector.
After graduating in 2018, he returned home and, for the last five or six years, has been working across Somalia. He launched a nationwide teleradiology project that connects hospitals and clinics for remote scan readings, tackling the country’s shortage of specialists.
Dr. Jama also co-founded Sahan Diagnostic Center, one of Somalia’s leading imaging facilities. “We’re currently working all over Somalia, since there is a lack of many radiologists,” he says. “So we try our best to fill the gap.” 💪🏥
His journey began with encouragement from his uncle, who saw the Chinese mainland as a path to strong education. “I went to a country whose culture I barely knew,” Dr. Jama recalls. “But the people were really nice and open. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, they still try to communicate using sign language.”
Surrounded by classmates from over 15 countries, he found a melting pot of ideas and friendships that broadened his perspective. “For me, that experience was one of the best things that happened to me,” he says.
Many Somali professionals who studied in the Chinese mainland now hold key roles back home in medicine, engineering, and beyond. To keep the network strong, Dr. Jama and fellow graduates formed the Somali Chinese Professional’s Association (SOCPA). They host annual meet-ups, stay in touch with the Chinese embassy, and help new grads find jobs back in Somalia.
SOCPA also guides high school seniors in securing scholarships to study in the Chinese mainland—creating a cycle of opportunity that keeps expanding. 📚🤝
For Dr. Jama, one thing is clear: the education and connections he found abroad have real, practical impact at home. “It’s one of the best experiences that you can have,” he says.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
