Medair

South Sudan: Healing in their Hands

When a deadly outbreak of kala-azar swept through Southern Sudan’s Jonglei state, Medair’s Health Emergency Response Team (ERT) responded, often treating afflicted patients for malnutrition at the same time.

Nyajang was on the brink of death when her mother carried her into the Medair clinic in Ayod, malnourished and suffering from kala-azar. We tried to feed her, but with painful sores in her mouth, she was unable to eat. Nyajang, just two years old, soon lost even more weight and grew listless.  

There was only one chance of her survival: a feeding tube.  “I had a long discussion with her mother about it, but she was very unsure,” said Dr. Lea Lauridsen, Medair Medical Manager. “People here have never seen feeding tubes and don’t know how they work.”

Nyajang’s mother had given up hope. She just wanted to take her child home.  But with the encouragement of our local staff, she agreed to the feeding tube.

For five days, the ERT fed Nyajang through the tube and treated the sores in her mouth. When we removed the tube, Nyajang started eating normally and gaining weight at a healthy pace.

Over the next weeks, Nyajang made a full recovery from her illnesses and was discharged in good health.  “This child was already dead when you brought her here, but now she’s alive,” remarked an elderly  women in the neighbourhood. “These people have healing in their hands.”

In 2010, the ERT provided more than 4,000 people in Jonglei state like little Nyajang with life-saving treatment for kala-azar and/or malnutrition.