Sudan: Fleeing violence, Sadia loses her leg

No access to medication 

My name is Sadia Abdalla, and I live in Wad Madani. I am 33 years old. I used to live a stable and peaceful life with my family, carrying out my household duties with ease and feeling completely safe and secure. 

With the onset of the conflict, we were forced to leave our home due to the dangerous conditions and ongoing shelling around us. During our journey to Sennar State, we had to walk long distances on foot because transportation was unavailable. 

I was unable to take my diabetes medication regularly. As a result, wounds developed on my body, became infected, and did not respond to treatment or repeated dressing sessions. Consequently, I lost my leg. Since the amputation surgery, I have been unable to walk and now spend all my time in bed. 

“I am able to move around again” 

I am currently in Wad Madani Hospital, where I have been readmitted because my amputation wound has become infected. 

The HI physiotherapist has provided me with guidance and exercises that have helped me regain my self-confidence. I have started learning to rely on myself again. I also received a walking frame to help restore my mobility, and I was told that I will eventually progress to using axillary crutches. I am happy that I can now get out of bed and move around on my own. 

I hope the doctors can bring my wound under control, and my greatest wish is to receive a prosthetic limb so that I can feel whole again and return to the life I had before the amputation. 

In Wad Madani (Al Jazirah state), southeast of the capital Khartoum, HI provides rehabilitation care and supplies assistive devices primarily to people with disabilities. In addition, stimulation therapy is offered to malnourished children to prevent long-term disabilities. HI provides these services in four existing hospitals and rehabilitation centers. 

In the western part of the country, in Tawilah (North Darfur State), functional rehabilitation care is provided at a hospital run by HI’s partner. The services primarily assist people with war-related injuries like gunshot wounds, trauma linked to forced displacement, and injuries resulting from precarious living conditions in displacement camps through emergency rehabilitation care. In addition, support is also provided to people with disabilities. 

Since beginning its work, HI has carried out over 9,500 rehabilitation sessions and provided care for almost 2,400 individuals. More than 150 people have also received assistive devices. HI is one of the few humanitarian organizations providing rehabilitation care in the country.