Little Azima | A Story of Hope and Dedication
For over two years, a bloody war has been raging in Sudan, forcing more than 13 million people to flee. The conflict has now reached the Nuba Mountains. The country is facing one of the worst hunger crises in the world.
At our hospital in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, we save the lives of malnourished children every day.
One moving example is Azima, a little girl who was brought to us suffering from severe malnutrition. Her weakened body needed intensive medical care, but thanks to the swift intervention of our medical team, she was able to recover. When she arrived at our clinic, Azima’s small body bore the marks of extreme malnutrition. She was suffering from Kwashiorkor, a specific and dangerous form of malnutrition. Despite being emaciated, her body appeared swollen. She had severe edema in her arms and legs, and her skin was peeling all over her body. Her weakened immune system made even minor infections life-threatening.
Compassionate care from our nurse
Our nurse Suria cared for her with great dedication – from initial stabilizing treatment to targeted nutritional therapy and finally, full recovery. Since Azima’s frail body couldn’t tolerate fever-reducing medication, Suria gently cooled her with cold water to bring down her fever. A life-saving antibiotic infusion could only be administered through a vein in her head. But Azima’s body needed more than medicine – it needed nourishment to rebuild strength. Carefully and gradually, Suria began feeding her with a special vitamin-enriched milk to reactivate her digestive system. Step by step, the nutrition was adjusted – first to a stronger therapeutic milk, and later to a nutrient-rich peanut paste to support the healing process.
Suria helps little Azima back to life
Day by day, Azima fought her way back to life – thanks to Suria’s tireless care, medical support, and, above all, the right nutrition. Her little eyes began to shine again, and her strength returned. But the journey didn’t end with her discharge: Suria educated her parents about the importance of strictly following a nutrition plan to avoid overburdening Azima’s still-recovering body. After just a few weeks, Azima was able to leave our hospital with a smile – strong and stable. She got a second chance because our hospital team, and especially Suria, provided fast and life-saving care. The need for this work is greater than ever.
Ongoing conflict and the hunger crisis in the Nuba Mountains mean that more and more children like Azima are being brought to our clinic – weakened, emaciated, and urgently in need of help. Our team fights every day to give these children a second chance.