After two unsuccessful surgeries, Aziza was still a 15-hour drive from the advanced medical care she needed in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. She was saved by an MAF flight of just two and half hours.
Story by Annet Nabbanja
When birth pains struck, Aziza Hassan Djogoye was in the small village of Tiné Djagaraba, bordering Sudan. There’s no signal out here. There are no proper roads. The village is surrounded by flat, sandy plains with thorny shrubs.
She was taken 35 km to the nearest health centre, but complications occurred and a caesarean section was carried out to deliver her baby.
A week later, Aziza’s health was not improving. After examination, it was found that there was a lot of blood in her abdomen, requiring a second operation.
It wasn’t successful. Aziza’s condition continued to deteriorate.
It was decided to evacuate her to the nearest district, Abeché, 315 km away by ambulance. The journey took about 12 hours. It was a long, exhausting drive across dry, open land, through small and scattered villages.
After examination, Aziza and her family were told that the first two surgeries were unsuccessful because they had punctured the bladder, and even blocked the canal of a kidney. Aziza needed urgent surgery in the capital city, N’Djamena.
At this point, Aziza didn’t have any choice. For someone this sick, road travel was no longer an option.
But her brother, Ibrahim Hassan Djogoye, contacted MAF and spoke with Denis Kouladoumbaye, the Ground & Operations Assistant.
“Denis reassured me about the availability of a plane, so we seized the opportunity, which allowed us to be evaluated in the capital with reassuring technical facilities,” he said.
I will never stop thanking you for enabling her to be evacuated in time and receive prompt care.
On board the MAF Cessna Caravan, Aziza was secured to a stretcher, while her sister cuddled the newborn babe. Even though Aziza was dressed in long, black clothing that covered her completely, she was wrapped in a thick blanket to keep her warm for the flight to N’Djamena.
“She was operated on, and now she’s doing better,” said Ibrahim, after the medevac. “I will never stop thanking you for enabling her to be evacuated in time and receive prompt care.
“Thank you very much for the humanitarian aid you provide to vulnerable people.”
Ibrahim is a witness to the general health situation in Chad, especially the northeastern provinces where Aziza lives.
These areas host a large number of refugees and internally displaced persons, especially from Darfur (Sudan), who are putting extreme pressure on already fragile services.
“In camps, maternity facilities are often poorly equipped, with long evacuation delays and insufficient means of transport,” said Ibrahim. “Chad has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and these rates are usually higher in peripheral areas like the northeast.”
Ibrahim wrote a heartfelt message to MAF for saving his sister’s life:
To the staff of MAF,
I want to extend my most sincere thanks for the valuable assistance provided during the evacuation of my sister from Abéché to N'Djamena.
Thanks to your responsiveness, professionalism, and commitment, she was able to be taken care of quickly and operated on in time. Today, by the grace of God, she is saved. In such a critical and distressing moment for our family, your intervention was decisive.
Beyond the act of evacuation, it is an immense act of humanity that you have accomplished. You have given hope back to an entire family. We fully appreciate the value of your mission and the dedication you demonstrate every day to those in need.
Receive all our recognition and deepest gratitude. May your organisation continue to carry out these life-saving works and change lives.
With all our respect and thanks,
Ibrahim Hassan Djogoye