Between 21 – 24 August 2016, SALAMAT Medical Charity UK successfully completed a health convoy to El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, Sudan. The mission brought together 19 volunteers representing a range of medical specialties, with a clear objective: delivering clinical services while prioritising training and knowledge transfer for local doctors, midwives, nurses, and other healthcare staff.
Mission focus: care today, capacity for tomorrow
SALAMAT’s approach goes beyond short-term clinics. During the El Geneina mission, the team worked side-by-side with local staff in different hospital departments and clinics to improve systems, share expertise, and leave behind practical benefits that continue after the team returns home.
Supporting safer childbirth: training midwives + modern delivery kits
A major highlight of the El Geneina mission was SALAMAT’s work with midwives. SALAMAT delivered midwifery training aimed at strengthening safe delivery skills. Also, SALAMAT distributed 50 modern “midwife bags” (safe delivery kits) to midwives in West Darfur.
These kits support midwives with essential tools and supplies for safer births; a practical investment that can reduce risks for both mothers and newborns.
Restoring hearing: 200 hearing aids donated
SALAMAT’s hearing care team donated 200 hearing aids to residents of El Geneina. By the end of the convoy, 200 people regained their hearing, enabling them to reconnect with family, friends and their communities. Many children and young people were able to return to school and participate more fully in everyday life.
This kind of intervention can transform a child’s educational journey and a family’s ability to communicate and support one another.
Children with special needs: training and sustained commitment
SALAMAT continues to prioritise support for children with special needs and the professionals who care for them. As part of this work:
- SALAMAT delivered training courses for staff working in this field in West Darfur.
- SALAMAT also supported national efforts through organising and contributing to the Second Annual Conference on this topic in Khartoum.
Saving children from preventable blindness: congenital cataract surgery
One of the most life-changing parts of the El Geneina mission was the treatment of children born with congenital cataracts (“white cataract” present from birth). These operations are time-critical: if congenital cataract surgery is not done before around the age of four, the child may suffer lifelong blindness. During this mission:
- Seven children were saved from permanent blindness through cataract surgery.
- SALAMAT also trained the local eye specialist in El Geneina to strengthen ongoing care.
- A follow-up SALAMAT visit was planned for December to carry out around 50 additional congenital cataract operations of this type.
In addition to paediatric surgery, SALAMAT also ran an adult eye clinic for the wider community.
Clinical work across multiple departments
During the convoy, SALAMAT volunteers delivered care and training across various services, including:
- Operating theatre support — clinical care combined with training inside the operating room
- Kidney unit work — supporting improvements and knowledge transfer in renal services
- Diabetes care — medical guidance and support for patients living with diabetes
- Support for establishing a local “Friends of Diabetes Patients” association in El Geneina
- Surgical outpatient clinic — treatment and training
- Internal medicine outpatient clinic — treatment and training
- Dental clinic services
Medical equipment donation
To strengthen local capacity, SALAMAT also donated medical equipment to hospitals in El Geneina, supporting clinicians to deliver safer and more effective care.
A word about El Geneina
El Geneina is a city of striking beauty and warmth, and many volunteers described it as a memorable place to visit. SALAMAT’s work there was made possible by local hospitality and the dedication of Sudanese health workers who continue serving their communities under difficult conditions.
Thank you
SALAMAT extends deep gratitude to:
- Our volunteer medical teams,
- Local healthcare workers and administrators in West Darfur,
- And all community members who supported and hosted the mission.
Together, we proved once again that charity missions can deliver not only treatment — but lasting knowledge, capacity and hope.
