The sun beat down on Nile Kings Specialist Hospital (NKSH) as I arrived, but inside, I met someone whose story carried far more heat, an emotional one. Mrs. Aluel sat quietly in the waiting area, her eyes dim but determined. Mrs. Aluel used to work there as a cleaner, but due to economic hardship in South Sudan, she was laid off while pregnant, leaving her unable to feed herself and her children. She was referred to CIMISS by the NKSH director. When I met her, she appeared thin, stressed, and hopeless. CIMISS acted without hesitation by arranging perinatal care, purchasing essential medications, and securing food and transportation.
No mother should have to choose between feeding her children and surviving childbirth. CIMISS ensured Mrs. Aluel gave birth at a hospital with skilled birth attendants and doctors, and CIMISS paid her hospital bills and provided groceries. The next day, after she left the hospital, Mrs. Aluel experienced stomach bloating and constipation and needed immediate medical attention. Luckily, CIMISS was able to cover her postpartum visit and prescribed medication, preventing complications for the mother and the baby.
Currently, Mrs. Aluel is doing okay with her baby. However, due to the South Sudanese economic crisis, she is unemployed and still at risk of postpartum complications. The risk is ongoing, and any support to CIIMISS would help sustain Mrs. Aluel and her baby for two more months and provide vital assistance to other families in need.
Every $200 can be the difference between life and death, a modest sum for some, but an entire future for mothers like Aluel. Your contribution, no matter the amount, is a lifeline for these families. With your help, survival is not just a possibility, but a reality.
Dr. Abiem, Amelia