Residents of Chebelley, members of Combined Joint Task Force –- Horn of Africa and the U.S. Embassy came together to commemorate the completion of the Chebelley Clinic during a grand opening ceremony here April 18. Chebelley village members celebrated with singing and dancing before, during and after the ceremony.





“"The military, the state department and United States Agency for International Development cooperated in the construction of this facility with the help of the ministry of health and the local folks as well,”" said Mark Mitchell, USAID country representative.





Mohamed Robleh Dirieh, Chebelley Village chief, said before the clinic was completed, there was no permanent healthcare available. The village relied on a medical technician who drove into the village every Wednesday, saw patients during a 3-hour time period, then would leave.





Because of this and the remote nature of the village, there was a need for permanent healthcare providers living in Chebelley.





Mitchell said the new clinic is scheduled to be open seven days a week.





“"Fortunately, with the design o f this clinic, the nurse practitioner and the midwife both live in the facility, so it really facilitates caring for the people,”" said Mitchell.





The clinic is responsible for the care of 600 to 700 people living in the village and surrounding area. Mitchell hopes the clinic will serve at least 1,000 people yearly.