It was a humbling experience for MAF to evacuate long-serving Catholic nun Sister Bii Bianca Musungu from South Sudan to Uganda for life-saving treatment.
For years, MAF has flown Sister Bianca during her life of service, back and forth between South Sudan and Uganda.
But this flight for the 88-year-old carried urgency: it was a medevac.
MAF pilot Andrew Parker made the almost three-hour-flight from Yambio in South Sudan to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The alternative form of travel to Uganda is by road, which would take over two days.
“It is good to be able to bring Sister Bianca down here to Kampala where she will be able to get proper medical care,” Andrew said.
“She seemed to be very frail and weak, probably also a bit overwhelmed with the flight, but I was encouraged by her carers who expressed their appreciation for our care and compassion in how we handled the flight.”
Dr Jacinto Balili accompanied Sister Bianca on the medical evacuation.
“Thank you MAF for rescuing us, we were stuck,” she said.
Sister Bianca has battled hypertension for over 20 years, but most recently the disease intensified. Blood circulation to the fingers on her right arm was cut off, causing them to dry up.
According to Dr Jacinto, Sister Bianca’s palm may be surgically removed to prevent the disease from spreading to the entire arm.
“We are very grateful to MAF for supporting the Catholic Church in Yambio. Sister Bianca takes care of orphans and has dedicated all her life to the church, and we feel that we have a duty to take care of her,” Dr Jacinto added.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has been ravaged by instability since its formation in 2011, and many children have been orphaned.
Conflict in South Sudan is also affecting availability of life-saving services like hospitals, and thousands of its nationals are forced to run to neighbouring countries for refuge and to access essential services. Uganda alone is currently home to over one million refugees from South Sudan.
STORY / DAMALIE HIRWA PHOTOS SUPPLIED