It was founded by the autonomous[1] northwestern Somaliland region's former foreign minister and former first lady of Somalia, Edna Adan Ismail.

Mothers of newborn girls are counseled on the dangers of having their child circumcised; the tradition is strongly ingrained in the culture.

[2] Following the Somali Civil War, the entire health infrastructure of Somaliland was effectively destroyed and there were few, if any, trained medical personnel remaining in the region.

Edna Adan donated her U.N. pension and other personal assets to build the hospital so that she might help to address the grave health crisis.

Direct Relief describes the hospital as Somaliland's premier referral center for obstetric emergencies.