EMERGENCY: impressions... and Sudanese Emotions

I first of all wish to thank all the people I have met in my two days visit to the “THE SALAAM CARDIAC HOSPITAL” of Khartoum. Everybody has been so kind to me and the welcoming has been wonderful. They have made me feel really at home. I have greatly appreciated the exceptional job carried out by that hospital for such a difficult situation as the heart problems in need of surgery. The quality of services offered is really "first class": theatres are wonderful; ICU extremely well equipped and serviced; wards extremely clean and wonderful with rooms equipped for semi/intensive care; up-to-date radiology and ultrasound departments (even CT scan can be done in that hospital). I have been greatly impressed by the laboratory facilities where they are able to get all the blood they need for such big operations, on top of all the necessary investigations. Even the compound is extremely well kept in the assumption that to the patients we must give the best.

Patients and relatives are taken care from the moment of admission up to about 2 months after the operation... and everything is absolutely free!

The Salaam Hospital puts itself in the position of giver of "excellency treatment", considering that nobody else is doing the same type of operations for the poor, and above all nobody is doing it free.

It is wonderful to see a mother smiling after her child has been saved: the one in the photo comes from a French speeking Country.

But Emergency is also running a wonderful service for childhood health-care through a clinic they have opened at the edge of one of the refugee camps of the city, where the living conditions of the poor are really appalling; also there the services and treatment are free.

I wish to thank very much my friend Dr Elena Giovanella (anesthetist at the Salaam Hospital) who has made me feel like a king, allowing me even to put my feet in the river Nile and to eat in a very nice Ethiopian restaurant.

Then I thank all the other doctors and staff who have been so friendly with me. I thank in a special way Eleonora (field coordinator) who has made it possible form me to have this experience.

I want to finish this short presentation mentioning the fact that the Salaam Hospital has also a place for worship which is supposed to be a space for any spirituality: the hospital serves Africa and Asia, and anybody (Christians; Muslims or worshippers of other religions) can find a room for prayer in it.

I am proud that Chaaria can cooperate with such an effective organization as Emergency.

Emergency is surely helping so many people who otherwise would face suffering and death... and we are with them trying to add our drop of support.

Bro Giuseppe Gaido