The
White Nile State of Sudan is almost as big as The Netherlands. But while the hospitals in The Netherlands are so plentiful that they can even compete, the people in this Sudanese district have extreme limited options when it comes to medical assistance. There is a small hospital for civilians here in Kosti that can perform some basic medical procedures. But when you want to be sure about your diagnosis and be more thoroughly examined, you should be ready for a 5-hour-drive to Khartoum. You can imagine that the situation for people in need of immediate medical care doesn't look very colourful. The drive to Khartoum (-if you have a car, otherwise you have to go by bus-) is not something you look forward to when you are not feeling well anyway. Frank's colleague introduced us to her sister who currently studies in Khartoum to become a surgeon. She is determined to come back to Kosti to work in the small hospital here, even though the salary and facilities will be far less than elsewhere.
"I want to do something for the people in Kosti and the White Nile District", she said determinately. I am sure the people in this district will be more than happy with some extra medical attention from this ambitious and idealistic young lady!
