800 grams, a lot of life: thanks to volunteers, Mikaela survived her premature birth in one of the most unfavorable regions in the world: in eastern Chad, where around 450,000 refugees live. Including Mohammed (5), who only saved himself and his six-month-old sister. Where children fight for survival.
An estimated 450,000 people currently live in Chad – refugees from war-torn neighboring Sudan: a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated there in April. Since then, there has been heavy fighting in many parts of the country, and the situation in Sudan and neighboring countries is catastrophic.
In the refugee camps in Chad, helpers such as those from “Doctors Without Borders” work to maintain basic medical care. The helpers run a hospital in the town of Adre.
“Patients tell us about mass violence,” reports Laura Leyser, director of Doctors Without Borders, “about mass killings, evictions and looting. Among them are women who fled alone with their children and people who saw corpses on the streets.”
Brother (5) saves sister
One of the fates that particularly affected Leyser is that of little Mohammed: “The five-year-old fled Sudan alone with his sister, who is only six months old.”
Leyser: “After the children’s mother was murdered in their home in El-Geneina, Mohammed ran after other fleeing people until he arrived in Adre. He carried the baby the whole time,” Leyser recalls. “Our team at the hospital in Adre now provides them with everything they need.”
A premature baby fights through it
And little Mikaela’s mother was also one of the refugees: “She came with her newborn daughter to our children’s department in Adre. The baby was born prematurely and weighed only 800 grams.”
Much too little! Especially when you consider that 3500 grams is actually the optimum, at least in Europe.
“For a baby weighing only 800 grams, the start of life would not be so easy, even in a country with a stable healthcare system like Austria,” says Leyser: “And in a country like Chad the challenges are enormous.”
The team of helpers on site did their best to support the little fighter. Keeping such a small baby alive requires intensive work: vital signs must be constantly monitored, sugar and temperature must be regularly corrected, numerous doses of antibiotics must be given, and the feeding tube must be constantly refilled. checked, etc.
Namesake of the Redeemer
And the miracle happened: the little girl survived. “Out of gratitude, the mother named her child after the doctor who treated her,” says Leyser: “It is called Mikaela, after Michael Malley.” In other words, the pediatrician from “Doctors Without Borders” who took care of her the entire time – see also image above.
It is stories like this that give the helpers of ‘Doctors Without Borders’ hope and keep them going: “They are small glimmers of hope – in this case small is even meant literally – but with such a big impact,” says the director .
What is most needed is missing
And these are just examples of the plight of the many children in the region; none of the children have an easy life here. Essentials such as clean water, sufficient food and malaria nets are lacking.
The aid teams do their utmost to help people: every day they treat dozens of malnourished children in the children’s hospital “Doctors Without Borders” in Adré.
And every week, hundreds of mothers receive therapeutic food for their other malnourished relatives at distribution points organized by Doctors Without Borders.
But much more would be needed – thanks for your help too!
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
