Our Work
Sudanese Physician Reintegration Program
Returning Home with Hope
War-torn Sudan may seem like an unlikely place to begin a medical career. But that’s exactly what 15 physicians – born in Sudan, trained in Cuba, and now Canadian citizens – have done.
With help from Samaritan’s Purse, 15 Sudanese-Canadian doctors have return to their homeland to formally begin their careers and fulfill the mission that has compelled them for over 20 years – to one day return and rebuild.
Educated and trained in Cuba after they fled war-torn Sudan as children, the doctors arrived in Canada several years ago and completed medical upgrading at the University of Calgary in fall 2006 with the financial support and spiritual mentorship of Samaritan’s Purse Canada.
The doctors then participated in medical residencies in Kenya. In partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, Kenyan hospitals provided on-the-job training to the physicians, before they return to Sudan.
Medical Care for South Sudan
The ailments the Sudanese physicians will be asked to identify and treat most often in their careers will be malaria and severe diarrhea, says Mary Mwai, Health Development Officer for the Church Ecumenical Action Sudan (CEAS) - a Kenyan Christian organization working with Samaritan's Purse.
Mwai, who has worked in several areas of South Sudan, predicts the physicians will also play an important role in implementing preventative immunization programs and in helping Sudanese women during childbirth.
South Sudan's health care system is in such post-war disarray that preventative immunization is almost non-existent, and most women undergo childbirth with no medical help. Many die during the process, and so do their babies. South Sudan's average life expectancy is approximately 46 years.
"The Sudanese physicians from Canada will be able to save lives and serve as role models" - encouraging other Sudanese people in Canada to follow a similar path back to Sudan, and also encouraging people in Sudan to pursue medical careers, Mwai says.
"I am so happy Samaritan's Purse - Canada is involved in something so noble," adds Petros Wontama Anamo, CEAS' director. "These Sudanese doctors whom (Samaritan's Purse - Canada) is helping to return to their homeland will inspire the Sudanese people - giving them hope."
In South Sudan, approximately 30 doctors serve 10 million people (there are 16,500 doctors serving every 10 million people in Canada).
Related Media Coverage
Related Stories
Ways You Can Help
|
Pray
Pray for wisdom and protection for the physicians as they now serve in remote locations across South Sudan. |  | GiveSupport this project by donating to Sudan Medical Needs Donate Here.
|