CASE STUDY: Challenging air evacuation rescues critically ill patient from war-torn Sudan

In a thrilling demonstration of resilience and coordination, AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) performed a highly demanding air evacuation, successfully rescuing a critically ill patient from conflict-ridden Sudan. The mission was carried out by an alliance between various international agencies, who contracted AFD based on the company’s long-standing experience of professional medical evacuation in challenging environments. The move underscores the severe health crisis Sudan has been grappling with in the aftermath of escalating conflict in the region, with most hospitals shutting down operations.

The patient, a 42-year-old man, was diagnosed with a complex cardiac condition that required immediate specialist care – a resource painfully unavailable in the war-torn country. The life-or-death decision to evacuate him to Nairobi, Kenya, was the last resort to secure his survival.

Despite the multifaceted security and logistical challenges, the critical operation was launched from across the Red Sea, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, under the cover of early dawn. A medically equipped AMREF Flying Doctors PC-12 aircraft was flown in, with an expert medical team and essential life support equipment.

Dr Joseph Lelo, AFD’s Medical Director, commented: “The precision of timing and coordination required for this mission was extraordinary. We had an extremely narrow window of time for landing, transferring the patient, and taking off again, all in an unpredictable conflict zone.”

The threat of ground-based skirmishes and possible anti-aircraft fire added to the mission’s high-risk profile. Despite these adversities, the team accomplished the evacuation without any incidents. The plane landed at Port Sudan and the patient was swiftly yet carefully moved aboard, and, within minutes, the aircraft was ascending again.

The route to Nairobi was fraught with its own set of perils: volatile weather and potentially hostile airspace. “It was a far cry from a regular flight, but our pilots’ proficiency and courage were unwavering,” said Captain Ephraim Kanuri, AFD’s Chief Pilot.

On arrival in Nairobi, the patient was swiftly transferred to the Nairobi Hospital’s cardiac unit, where he is currently receiving specialised care. His condition, although critical, is stable, and he is now under the care of some of the best cardiac specialists in East Africa.

This evacuation underscores the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan and the readiness of AMREF Flying Doctors to respond to challenging requests. Thousands remain stranded, struggling with a lack of basic healthcare, food and shelter, as the conflict continues to devastate their homeland.

The successful mission brings a ray of hope in the grim circumstances, demonstrating the profound difference that international cooperation can make. However, for organisations like AMREF, and the governments involved, it also underlines the dire need for a more substantial and cohesive international response to alleviate the crisis in Sudan.

“We trust this mission will resonate with the global community,” said Stephen Gitau, AFD’s CEO. “Although we celebrate this particular success, the reality is that there are countless others still in desperate need and time is running out.”

This is one of many examples of missions performed by AFD where, thanks to their decades-long experience, close governmental relations, and expertise in navigating even the most testing circumstances, AMREF Flying Doctors were able to successfully rescue the patient from a high-risk environment.