From 3–11 September 2022, SALAMAT Medical Charity UK organised a major charity health mission to El Daein, the capital of East Darfur State. The convoy brought free medical care, training and equipment to thousands of people, in close collaboration with local authorities, hospitals and universities.
From clinics and surgery to new diabetes and oncology centres, a week that transformed services in East Darfur.
A wide range of specialties
The El Daein mission included a large multidisciplinary team with expertise in:
- Ophthalmology (2 eye consultants)
- General surgery and laparoscopic/breast surgery
- Urology
- Emergency medicine and trauma
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Psychiatry and mental health
- Oncology
- Nephrology and internal medicine
- Obstetrics and gynaecology (4 consultants)
- Paediatrics (2 consultants)
- Audiology and hearing care (3 specialists)
- Children with special needs (3 consultants)
- Psychology
- Medical genetics and embryology
- Clinical pharmacy
- Medical equipment engineering
- Vaccination and infection control (3 hepatitis B immunisation experts)
- General practitioners, medical officers and medical students
- Programme administration, in partnership with the Secretariat of Sudanese Working Abroad
Hearing and special needs – continuing success
As in previous missions, SALAMAT donated 300 hearing devices in El Daein, restoring hearing and communication for 300 individuals who had been labelled deaf. Batteries for one year were provided for each device, and children and students particularly benefitted from this support.
The children with special needs team continued to play a central role, delivering direct services to children and families, training for carers, teachers and health workers, and collaboration with local government to develop a centre and school for children with special needs
Eye care
The eye clinic was extremely busy, reflecting high demand for ophthalmology services. SALAMAT helped to establish a new eye department in El Daein and supported the appointment of a new ophthalmologist to ensure continuity of care after the mission.
Obstetrics, Gynaecology And Safer Childbirth
The obstetrics and gynaecology team delivered intensive clinical and educational work aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality. They ran specialist clinics and performed surgical procedures, trained and updated 50 midwives through workshops and practical sessions, and provided 50 midwifery boxes (delivery kits), each containing the essential equipment needed for a safe delivery
Each midwife kit costs SALAMAT around $100 to provide.
Oncology: building cancer services in East Darfur and beyond
SALAMAT’s oncology lead worked intensively with local authorities in El Daein to gain agreement to establish a dedicated oncology centre in the city and identify a suitable building to be refurbished and converted into a cancer treatment facility
During the mission, the oncology team ran cancer clinics, delivered health education, including breast examination awareness at girls’ schools and participated in local media programmes to raise public awareness on cancer prevention and early detection
A similar SALAMAT initiative previously established an oncology centre in Kosti, White Nile State, which is now operational and serving patients. The goal is to replicate this success in El Daein and extend access to cancer care across Sudan.
Diabetes and paediatric services
SALAMAT paediatricians provided care to both inpatients and outpatients. A paediatric cardiologist:
- Surveyed the impact of rheumatic fever on children’s hearts
- Identified children needing urgent cardiac surgery
- Arranged for at least two children to travel to Khartoum for life-saving heart operations, which were carried out successfully and free of charge
A paediatric diabetologist established a new children’s diabetes centre in El Daein, linked to a main centre in Khartoum. This centre will provide free insulin and follow-up care for children with diabetes.
Mental health services
A senior psychiatrist and psychologist provided much-needed outpatient psychiatric services in an area without a staffed mental health unit. They also delivered Mental health education through local radio and media and guidance to local providers on how to recognise and manage common mental health problems.
Vaccination – protecting health workers and high-risk groups
SALAMAT vaccinated approximately 700 people at risk of hepatitis B, including midwives, accident and emergency staff, theatre staff, dialysis staff and patients, and other high-risk workers. Those who tested positive were linked to appropriate treatment programmes.
Strengthening renal and dialysis services
The nephrology and renal team worked in the dialysis unit, providing teaching ward rounds – every dialysis patient was reviewed, as well as outpatient clinics for transplant and chronic kidney disease patients. Within just one week, they achieved:
- Maintenance and refurbishment of the dialysis unit
- Establishment of regular multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings
- Launch of weekly academic teaching sessions, with two lectures delivered by local staff during SALAMAT’s visit
- Agreement from the local chamber of commerce to sponsor meals for dialysis patients
- Work towards free transportation for patients to and from the unit
- A strong recommendation to appoint a nephrologist for ongoing care
Surgery, theatres and emergency care
SALAMAT surgeons and anaesthetists rehabilitated a redundant operating theatre, making it functional again within one week. They performed numerous surgical operations in general surgery, urology and breast surgery. They also helped improve the emergency department, offering teaching, system improvements and donating new equipment. Old and unsafe instruments were replaced by new ones wherever possible.
Rheumatology and refugee care
For the first time, SALAMAT recruited a consultant rheumatologist for a mission. Clinics covered rheumatology and general medicine, including a dedicated clinic for refugees at Al-Neem camp.
Medication and equipment donations
SALAMAT donated large quantities of medications, surgical and anaesthetic equipment, renal supplies and other medical disposables. These were distributed across departments and were highly valued by local staff.
Teaching and cultural programme
During the mission, SALAMAT volunteers also delivered lectures at El Daein University, including an advanced genetics course for university lecturers
The volunteers also took part in a cultural and social programme, including a lecture on the history of El Daein by historian Mr Ali Adam, accompanied by local contributors and cultural performances.
