The news cycle can lead to the world’s attention moving from one crisis to another, often tragically forgetting the people from “yesterday’s news.” Already nine years ago, Aleteia profiled the life-saving work Dr. Tom Catena is doing in Sudan. Today, he’s still there, serving many, many, patients in a suffering region.
In the heart of the Nuba Mountains of Sudan
We had the chance to touch base with him and hear what things are like today in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, where Dr. Tom serves a population of about 2 million people in the only referral hospital in the region.
"The region of the Nuba Mountains -- and Sudan in general -- is a mess," he explained. "Sudan's history is one of continuous civil war, center vs the periphery. Our most recent civil war in Nuba started in 2011 with varying levels of intensity over the years. Fighting has recently intensified and we spent last weekend testing truckloads of wounded. We’re also facing severe food shortages and a new cholera outbreak. Chances for a peaceful resolution to Sudan's many problems look pretty bleak right now."
Dr. Catena's hospital is one of the few functioning hospitals in the entire country and it serves people in Sudan and South Sudan. It's hard to imagine, but patients can often travel several weeks in order to reach him and receive medical care.
When asked why he first arrived in Nuba and why he stayed, he shares,
I arrived here in Nuba in March 2008 with the goal of establishing a referral hospital for this beleaguered region and staying until I could hand things over to the local staff. I’m still here after 17-plus years but getting closer to handing things over. We’ve sent many doctors, nurses, and other medical cadre to school over the years and now have a training school for clinical officers (like physician assistants) and midwives.
Most of those we sent to school have not stuck it out but a few remain and we carry on with them. I stay because I see the need here is so great and am determined to see things through until the Nuba can run most of their own affairs. I am here as a medical missionary and want to be a witness to the love of Christ for his people.
A typical day as a medical missionary
Dr. Tom’s days are extremely full and rooted in prayer. On a “typical” day he gets up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to say the Rosary before a morning Mass celebrated by the hospital chaplain. He then spends the majority of the morning doing rounds of the ward -- from the maternity wards to the surgical wards and the pediatric wards.
Then he gets ready to go to the operating room to complete several minor surgeries. Together with his clinical officer interns, they’ll see anywhere from 300 to 350 patients, and that by 1:30 p.m.!
At this point, his day is far from over - he then goes to the outpatient clinic to see another 50 to 60 patients. After he finishes, at 6 or 6:30, he’ll do administrative work. He is “on call” every night for surgical emergencies or obstetrical issues.
This is, to put it mildly, a lot for any one doctor to handle, let alone for the last 17 years. How is it possible? Dr. Catena says,
I’d say I’ve only been able to stay here and put up with the tremendous workload and frustrations due to my Catholic faith. It’s just too hard otherwise. I feel that I’m here to serve God in a very tangible way and I see it as my way to follow Jesus more closely. Of course the trials and tribulations come with the territory, as Jesus promised us such travails if we follow him.
Signs of hope
"Although the prospects for peace are grim, the Nuba are people of hope - they are incredibly tough and can put up with hardships that would break the rest of us” shares the physician. “They will continue with their way of life and look forward to better days to come.”
Dr. Catena explains that the Catholic Church is particularly important in Nuba, because it is one of the few present, stable institutions.
The Church has done a good bit of work to uplift the people -- in addition to our hospital and clinics, the diocese has set up a network of schools, drilled bore wells and provided educational and training opportunities for many.
The Catholic faith is still new here and will take time to really take root -- signs of hope are the emergence of some young Nuba priests and religious.
The traditions here are deep -- polygamy, ancestor worship, and belief in the shaman -- so it will take time to overcome those obstacles.
What the world should know
Dr. Catena implores the world not to forget about Sudan. He calls it “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis" -- a designation that is not just an opinion but a statement of fact, based on the numbers affected and the severity of the crisis -- but one that gets overshadowed by newer conflicts.
We are now approaching the ‘hunger gap’ (period of time every year when people start to run out of food) and it’s likely to be worse this year. Civil war, food shortages, and cholera are in store for us for the foreseeable future. I’m afraid many get Sudan or Africa fatigue and see the situation as hopeless.
Don’t forget that there are people here and they need our help.
When asked what we can do, he said, “We appreciate anyone's prayers for our protection and strength. If anyone is inclined to make a donation, one can go through our main partner, African Mission Healthcare at healthfornuba.com.”
To find out more about Dr. Tom’s mission, read Aleteia’s 2016 article and watch the “Heart of Nuba” documentary, available through streaming services.
