South Sudan Medical Relief

This has been an important program of Crosscurrents since 2006. It is directed by Dr. Jill Seaman, an American physician, who has been recognized globally for her work. She has been working in Old Fangak, South Sudan for over 25 years. The village of Old Fangak is remote. It requires an 8-10 day walk to the nearest road. There is a grass-strip runway. All supplies for the program arrive by charter flights. The program serves over 25,000 patients annually. Dr. Jill, as she is well known, provides both the leadership and day-to-day treatment of patients. The patients come by foot, often with their extended families. They bring all possible physical conditions from malaria, to TB, to famine, to new babies, to gunshot wounds. The schedule is 24/7. Dr. Jill lives very simple life in the small compound. There are a few local staff who have been trained in basic health care and there are a few international medical volunteers who come each year for special projects like eye care.

Crosscurrents provides key support for this program.

Dr. Seaman has been honored as a MacArthur  Fellow.  She is one of the most humble people you will ever meet and she is admittedly not a fundraiser! We are reaching out to spread the word and solicit your support for her important work.
 

Jill and her medical team treat tuberculosis, Kala azar, trichiasis, and chronic hepatitis B – if you have never encountered or even heard of some of these diseases it may be because South Sudan’s health indices are among the worst in the world. The South Sudan Medical Relief (SSMR) works with the community to bring equity in health care, providing clinical services and training.

Please consider making a donation to support this critical work. 

OLD FANGAK, DECEMBER 2024

Warm greetings from Old Fangak! Last month’s floodwaters were said to be the highest in 125 years. Daily temperatures are consistently 5 to 8 degrees above normal. It’s hot and muggy, with swarms of mosquitos to spread malaria and make us all scratch. Land in our area...

August 2024 Hot Off the Press

There is suddenly and unexpectedly an unprecedented  increase in flooding around Old Fangak. It started raining like crazy. Thousands of people have had to evacuate to the North. Not again! Lake Victoria, the source of the river, recently reached its highest level in...

Our Broader Health Care Continues

We are so lucky to have Dr. James Wal back with us! He sees outpatients that really need more expertise than our clinical officers can provide. Here is an example: A lovely three year old little girl came in with one eye bulging while Jill was overseas. Our program...

Global Warming and Old Fangak

Well, the first week the thermometer hit 110 degrees, the government decided to close schools to protect the kids. They sent a memo advising people to drink lots, submerge in water, and get shade. When the high temperatures persisted after a week, the kids got to...

Mobility Is Key to Life

These hand powered carts allow disabled people to get around. We use them for polio patients, amputees, undiagnosed neurologic disorders, but mostly for TB patients. Here, transport to TB clinic for treatment is a family affair. This Mom with spinal TB was finally...