Sudanese medics return home
Friday, 05 Sep 2008 08:42
Sudanese medical care boosted by new medics
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A group of Sudanese doctors have begun working in their home country, over 20 years after they escaped from the country's devastating civil war.
Eleven doctors were rescued from wartorn Sudan in 1985 where, with 600 other children, they were sent to Cuba to pursue an education in the Caribbean island.
Between 1997 and 2003 25 students were selected to study medicine, before being sent to Canada as refugees on completion of their studies.
Fifteen applied to receive support from a Christian relief and development agency called Samaritan's Purse Canada, who helped them through further training at the University of Calgary with courses in tropical medicine, clinical reasoning, professionalism and language skills.
They then moved to Kenya, in consultation with the Sudanese government, to complete the second half of their training and have now finally returned to their home to work in Sudan.
A comment piece in this week's edition of the Lancet by Rodney Crutcher of the University of Calgary says the group are providing new access to medical care, including emergency surgery, for many.
"Despite severe challenges, they have convinced many of their commitment to remain," Dr Crutcher says.
"Through relationships forged along their journey, they have inspired others to commit time, medical donations, and other support to further their work in southern Sudan."