Specialist doctors, physiotherapists, nurses and radiographer from CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda fly with MAF to care for young patients with hydrocephalus.
MAF’s airbridge links South Sudanese children with the CURE hospital in Uganda where they can receive surgery for hydrocephalus and spina bifida, conditions which develop congenitally in the womb or soon after birth.
Since December 2023 more than 80 babies and children have flown with MAF from Juba to the hospital in Uganda on 15 flights. This is the first time in two years, however, that CURE has flown to South Sudan’s capital Juba, to provide follow-up care at an outreach, hosted jointly by Usratuna – OVCI La Nostra Famiglia and MAF.
Pastor Simon Peter is available to pray and counsel with families as they grapple with the hard questions that come with having a disabled child.
The patients and the medical team greet one another warmly as the clinic gets underway.
Nyandit has grown from a baby to a toddler since last June when the critically ill patient was flown from Tonj to Juba and on to Uganda to receive surgery for hydrocephalus. She receives medicine from nurse manager Annet Kirunda who is running the pharmacy.
‘I feel grateful for the opportunity to see patients like Nyandit,’ Annet says.
Since the partnership with MAF began the journey to Uganda is easier for patients travelling for surgery. The three-hour flight replaces a two-day journey by road.
‘In the past these patients would have to use the bus to reach Uganda. The process of clearing the borders, travelling for a long distance and sitting in the bus for a long time was hard. With the plane we can thank God that the journey is less than four hours, and they are in Uganda. That is amazing! We thank God for MAF, for bringing you onboard to support these children here in South Sudan.’ Annet says.
I believe all the children can do well if services are available.
Radiographer Keith Wabiria uses the ultrasound machine which CURE brought with them to check the growth of baby Devine’s head. The mobile clinic in Juba means that mum Gloria is spared the long trip to Uganda and CURE are able to prioritise the most urgent new patients as well as follow up on children who’ve had surgery before.
In the busy physiotherapy room, CURE physiotherapist supervisor Donald Awiru and OVCI physio Vivienne gently teach mum Wudad some exercises with baby Juahir.
Donald is passionate about helping children like Juahir who had surgery for spina bifida in September 2024 at just two and a half months.
‘The main focus is to train the mothers to continue doing the therapy at home with the children,’ he says.
He wishes physiotherapy was more readily available for children like Juahir who lives with family in a refugee camp close to the northern border with Sudan.
‘I believe all the children can do well if services are available. It’s unfortunate that the centre for physiotherapy is only at Usratuna in Juba. This totally disadvantages the children,’ he says.
‘I enjoyed the outreach! It was successful and a new experience for me since it was my first time in South Sudan. I enjoyed the MAF flight, pilots were all amazing, supportive, helpful in all aspects, including carrying the luggage of the patients. The pilots truly demonstrated Christlikeness.’
The team are keen to point out the treatment is not a single surgery but a lifetime of interventions and care, like this outreach happening in Juba because a MAF plane could bring the doctors to the patients on the return leg of a flight bringing children to the hospital.
Raya has come with her grandmother for a check-up. She is received with a smile by Dr Shadrack who recognises the little girl who came for surgery three years ago. After successful surgery, the five-year-old has been discharged from the programme – although she is welcome to access the centre’s services any time.
In the past these patients would have to use the bus to reach Uganda. With the plane we can thank God that the journey is less than four hours. That is amazing! We thank God for MAF, for bringing you onboard to support these children here in South Sudan.
