How MAF flights are helping medical teams to fight malaria in South Sudan.
In the remote town of Tonj, South Sudan, a small mission hospital called Noah’s Place is making a big difference. Run by the organisation In Deed and Truth, the hospital is a lifeline for mothers and children who often walk for miles to reach care.
Treatment at the hospital costs around 1,000 South Sudanese Pounds — about £0.12 — for those who can afford it. But no one is turned away. The hospital covers the cost for those who cannot pay, ensuring that families get the medicine they need, regardless of their income.
Each day, Noah’s Place sees about 100 patients, and during peak malaria season, that number can rise to 300. Last year, the hospital treated 62,000 people — most of them for malaria.
“For babies, malaria can be deadly because the children's immune system is not yet fully developed,” explains Dr Joseph Maker, a clinical officer at the hospital, who helped unload boxes of medicine from the MAF plane. “A baby can’t not explain their symptoms – which can develop quickly in such a small body to become very severe.
“A quick intervention, and diagnosing the malaria on time, can lead to a good outcome. With the donations that people give, malaria can be treated. Together, we can help so many patients recover from malaria as well as to prevent malaria.”
At Noah’s Place, patients are screened and tested. If malaria is confirmed and the case is serious, they are admitted to the hospital. Less serious cases are treated with oral medicine. Before going home, many patients receive prayer from one of the hospital’s pastors.
Mothers like Buoi Gor are grateful for the care.
“I came to the hospital because my kids are sick, and I was worried about them. I am so happy the hospital is here. If it wasn’t there, I would have to go far places looking for treatment,” she says.
MAF planes fly in medical supplies to remote areas like Tonj. Without these flights, it would be almost impossible for hospitals like Noah’s Place to operate.
Another mother, Bien Yak, travelled for two days from her village, Buot, to reach the hospital.
“I was screened and the doctors found out that I was suffering from malaria,” she says. “They gave me medicines which I took for three days, and I have now recovered. My child has also been given medicines and recovered. I would like to appreciate the people like MAF that bring the medicines that made me well.”
Even more remote is Palal Payam, the community about 45km away that Akuch Mabior came from with her two-year-old son Makim Abil.
“My baby was not feeling well. I didn’t know what was wrong with him. He had swollen legs and a swollen face. I brought him to the hospital. The doctor ran some tests and discovered that the baby has low blood. They gave me some medicine for malaria and the baby is now doing well. I am happy my baby has recovered. I give thanks to the doctors that helped my baby,” she says.
In a country where access to healthcare is limited, the work being done at Noah’s Place — with support from MAF — is saving lives.
