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About Us
Rooted in the communities we serve
Somali Medical Aid Group (SMAG) is a non-profit organisation working in the UK and Somalia. Founded in 2023 by members of the Somali diaspora concerned about health disparities and barriers to healthcare access, SMAG works to improve the health and wellbeing of Somali communities by connecting people to healthcare services, advocating for patients, and strengthening local healthcare capacity.
Our team in Somalia is driven by experienced healthcare professionals and individuals with deep knowledge of the communities we serve. Their work is strengthened by a trusted network of experts, partners and organisations across Somalia and the UK.
In Somalia, we primarily focus on women, children and people affected by conflict.
Our Mission
To advance access to quality healthcare and improve health outcomes for Somali communities in Somalia and the UK. Through advocacy, partnership, health education, capacity building and digital health, we work to address unmet health needs, strengthen pathways to care and improve how communities access health information and services
Our Vision
A future where Somali people, in Somalia and across the diaspora, have equitable access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to live healthier lives.
The Restore Hope Progamme
Stories of Resilience
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References & Evidence
Sources for the statistics and health information published on this site.
About the Evidence
There are important gaps in Somali-specific health data in the UK. National health statistics frequently use broader ethnicity categories, such as “Black African”, rather than identifying Somali people separately.
For this reason, we use a combination of official UK government statistics, UK peer-reviewed research involving Somali communities, evidence from established UK health organisations, and peer-reviewed international research involving Somali populations where equivalent UK-specific evidence is unavailable.
International findings are clearly identified and should not be interpreted as estimates of disease prevalence among all Somali people living in the UK.
Research findings describe populations and groups rather than determining an individual person's health risk. Health outcomes can be influenced by many factors, including age, family history, socioeconomic circumstances, diet, physical activity and access to healthcare.
Where possible, SMAG prioritises official UK government data, UK research and peer-reviewed studies specifically involving Somali communities.
This page is maintained by the Somali Medical Aid Group (SMAG). We aim to use reliable and transparent sources.
If you believe a source is missing, inaccurate or out of date, please contact us.
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Privacy Notice
Last updated August 2026.
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Questions about this notice? Contact us at office@smagroup.org
Contact Us
For advocacy support, volunteering enquiries, or partnership opportunities, please get in touch.
Send us a message
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Collaborate with us
We welcome partnerships offering medical interventions, supplies, technical expertise, training and funding, particularly those helping to build healthcare capacity in Somalia in children’s and women’s health, trauma care, mental health and physiotherapy.
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers from medical, technical, administrative and fundraising backgrounds, online or on the ground.
In Somalia
We advocate for access to specialist care.
Many people need treatment that isn't available locally. We identify for hospitals, charities and medical programmes that may be able to help and advocate on your behalf.
- ✓We review your case and medical information
- ✓We identify possible services and referral routes
- ✓We liaise with hospitals, charities and partners
- ✓We advocate on your behalf and monitor progress
In the UK
We help you navigate health services.
The NHS and support services can be difficult to navigate. We provide practical information and signpost you to the services that can help.
- ✓Understand your options
- ✓Find the right NHS or community service
- ✓Access reliable information and practical guidance
- ✓We signpost you to specialist organisations
How advocacy works
1
Tell us
Share your situation and any relevant information. We review every request to understand your needs and determine the most appropriate support available
2
We review
We assess your request and identify relevant services, referral pathways, or organisations that may be able to help.
3
We connect
In Somalia, we advocate on your behalf and work with hospitals, charities and partners where appropriate. In the UK, we provide information and signpost you to the most suitable services.
4
We follow up
Where appropriate, we stay in contact, monitor progress and provide ongoing advocacy and support.
✓
What we can do
We can advocate, connect, communicate and signpost. We help you find options and access the services that exist.
✕
What we cannot do
We do not provide medical treatment, give medical advice or replace your doctor or healthcare provider. Treatment and eligibility decisions are made by hospitals and service providers.
Health News
Practical facts about health issues affecting Somalis in the UK
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people in Somalia
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have access to healthcare
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of children fully vaccinated
IN SOMALIA
Restore Hope
Since 2024, Somali Medical Aid Group has delivered the Restore Hope programme in partnership with MSF, creating the first dedicated referral pathway of its kind for Somali patients requiring specialist reconstructive surgery in Jordan.
Through the programme, Somali survivors of conflict and other patients with complex injuries can access specialist maxillofacial, orthopaedic and reconstructive plastic surgery at MSF's Reconstructive Surgery Programme in Amman. We also work with physiotherapy centres in Kenya and Ethiopia to support rehabilitation and referral pathways.
We currently facilitate approximately three patient referrals each month, helping patients access specialist care that is often unavailable locally.
Meet some of the beneficiaries
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Read story
IN THE UK
Advocating for Somali communities across the UK
Across the UK we help people navigate the NHS and local services, connect them to the right support, and advocate on their behalf when access to care is difficult.
- ✓One-to-one advocacy support to access NHS and community services
- ✓Bilingual support in Somali and English
- ✓Guidance on patient rights, complaints and enquiries
Health facts you should know
Coming Soon
MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION HUB
A new resource for the Somali community, in English and Somali, to help you locate local support services and engage with mental health services effectively.
Find Support
A searchable directory of mental health services, filterable by location and language.
Know Your Rights
Plain-English guidance on the rights of patients under UK mental health law.
For Carers & Families
What family members and carers are entitled to know and do under UK law.
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