Abdullai
“Saving a Teen Boy in Critical Condition”
Every year Sudan Relief Fund donors provide nearly all the medicine used to heal the sick, treat wounds and infections, and support surgeries at Mother of Mercy Hospital in a remote region of Sudan. Your gifts are saving lives every day at this critical outpost of hope and help. Lives like 17 year-old Abdullai Suliman Angalo, from Reka.
Abdullai’s father was a soldier, so he was often away from home. But at age 17, Abdullai could take care of himself well and look after his younger siblings during his father’s absences.
Except when Abdullai mysteriously began to feel sick. In the beginning of April, Abdullai started to suffer from abdominal pain. He would lay down frequently, but it didn’t give him any relief. He felt nauseated and dizzy from the constant pain.
This time when his father returned home, he found his son in very sick condition. Like any concerned parent, he took Abdullai to the local health clinic in Reka. They gave Abdullai medication, but this didn’t alleviate his symptoms. He lost his appetite and began to vomit every time he tried to eat. Abdullai only grew sicker. Alarmingly, soon he could barely speak.
Abdullai’s father took his son back to the clinic, but they couldn’t provide him any further help. They told Abdullai’s father to get him to Mother of Mercy Hospital, the Sudan Relief Fund supported hospital in the Nuba Mountains – the only facility of its kind for hundreds of miles in all directions.
The renowned Dr. Tom Catena, a missionary doctor from New York State, has directed the facility since its founding nearly sixteen years ago. Dr. Tom also served as the hospital’s only resident surgeon for over fifteen years, working seven days a week and responding to emergencies at night. Now Dr. Tom is training up additional surgeons to serve at the hospital, and raising up health clinics across the Nuba Mountains to reach more people who lack health care.
Abdullai was admitted to the hospital and shortly thereafter received his diagnosis: he was suffering from acute appendicitis. As progressed as Abdullai’s condition was, it was remarkable his appendix hadn’t burst. He underwent emergency surgery to have the infected appendix removed.
Eighteen days of recovery later, Abdullai could talk again, walk without pain once more, and eat anything he wanted. He was thrilled at the restoration of his health. Most of all, he and his father were incredibly grateful for the lifesaving help they found at Mother of Mercy Hospital, which made all the difference in a young man’s life.
These stories of Lives Saved are made possible by your support of Sudan Relief Fund. Thanks to you, Mother of Mercy Hospital treats 75,000 patients and performs 2,000 surgeries every year for people in need. Thank you for transforming lives and bringing hope to dark places.Would you like to pray for us? Sign up for our email prayer group to receive weekly emails sharing important needs to pray for. You’ll join a faith community around the globe praying to bring hope and help to suffering people in a forgotten part of the world. Click here to find out more.