Uniting the British Somali Medical Community
Supporting British Somali doctors, allied health professionals and students, opening doors into medicine and championing community health since 2018.
Find your way in
Medical students
Full membership is free. Teaching, mentors and a network that knows your path.
Join freeDoctors
Resident teaching, specialty webinars, the Travel Grant and the National Conference.
Become a memberInternational medical graduates
Support for Somali doctors trained abroad who are starting out in the NHS.
IMG programmeAspiring doctors
For students aged 15 to 19 and their parents: workshops and a year of mentoring.
Into medicinePartners and community
Work with us on community health, sponsor a programme or support our charity.
Work with us- 2018founded by Somali doctors, after building a registry of Somali medics
- 300+members, most of the Somali doctors and medical students in the UK
- 50+community health engagements
- 30+BSMA Scholars have won places at UK medical schools
Upcoming events
Members book at a discount. Tickets are sold through Ticket Tailor.
- Book tickets: BSMA Social 2026
BSMA Social 2026
Sat 28 November 2026, 5:30pm–9:30pm
TOCA Social, Westfield London, W12 7GDTickets £30, students £20
No dates are announced right now. All past and future events are on our Ticket Tailor page, and new dates go out first on Instagram. Meanwhile, watch the National Conference 2024.
News
The latest from our events, programmes and community work.
ESMC and Somali National University launch a research lecture series
Ten Saturday webinars for final-year medical students at Somali National University, from 31 October 2026, led by the BSMA for the European Somali Medical Council.
The BSMA Social 2026 is coming
The BSMA Social 2026 is coming: games, great food and friendly competition.
The BSMA Social 2026 is here
The BSMA Social 2026: an evening of games, food and company for doctors, medical students and healthcare professionals.
Community Careers Event with Women 4 Change
The BSMA joined Women 4 Change CIC for their Community Careers Event in Leicester, a day for young people and families to meet professionals and explore their next steps.
LSHTM: the future of humanitarian health
The BSMA shared an LSHTM lecture and panel on the future of humanitarian health research in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Our free weekly UKMLA revision course is back
The BSMA's free weekly UKMLA revision course returned, one specialty at a time, based on the GMC content map.
ESMC 2026 in one word
Attendees described ESMC 2026 in a single word.
Dr Mubarik Igal wins research prize at ESMC 2026
Dr Mubarik Igal won the ESMC 2026 Oral Presentation Prize for his research on trauma-informed perinatal care.
What we do
Programmes for every stage, from a first medical school application to consultant practice.
Students
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Access to Medicine
A one-day workshop on applying to medical and dental school, held in Leicester, Birmingham and London.
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BSMA Scholars
A free 12-month programme: monthly sessions and a dedicated mentor through the whole application.
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Travel Grant
Funding to attend conferences, complete medical electives and gain clinical experience.
Members
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IMG programme
Courses that help Somali international medical graduates adapt to the UK health system.
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Teaching and specialty webinars
Teaching for early-career doctors, and deep dives into specialties and applications.
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National Conference
Our annual academic conference on the health challenges facing the British Somali community.
Community
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Community health
Workshops and tailored resources on mental, cardiovascular and women's health.
Our National Conference
Somali doctors, nurses, academics and community leaders from across the UK and beyond, in one room for a day of research, panels and keynotes.
Panels discuss the key issues for Somali health and medicine, such as careers outside the NHS, autism in the UK Somali community, Somali women's health, and balancing life and a career in healthcare.
What our members say:
Being part of the BSMA has been transformative. It's not just a network; it's a family that uplifts Somali medics across the UK.
Dr Mohamed Jama, BSMA member
The passion, camaraderie, unity and overall energy of the gathering was incredible.
Doctor, National Conference 2024
I am very glad I decided to come to the BSMA national conference. I've met so many like minded individuals and it was an honour to be in a room full of people who will inspire the next generation.
Nurse, National Conference 2024
First time attending BSMA event and I came alone. So welcoming and met so many people and everyone was so friendly.
Doctor, National Conference 2024
This is an amazing event where like minded people gather to showcase Somali Excellence.
Allied health professional, National Conference 2024
Inspirational and thought provoking! Gained so many insights on what I can do outside of my clinical career to advocate, educate and support colleagues and my community.
Doctor, National Conference 2024
A truly amazing, inspirational and thought provoking conference.
Doctor, National Conference 2024
Beautiful to see Somali excellence and the striving for excellence.
Student, National Conference 2024
Working with
Support the work
Donate
Gifts fund our community programmes through our charity, the British Somali Medical Foundation (no. 1194268).
DonateVolunteer or mentor
Teach at Access to Medicine, mentor a BSMA Scholar or help run the National Conference.
Get in touchPartner with us
Sponsor a programme or the Travel Grant, or bring us in on a community health project.
Work with us