The missionary doctor in Sudan covering an area the size of Austria
[Sudan] Dr. Tom Catena has not had a day off for many years as he runs the largest hospital in Sudan’s Nuba mountains, serving the community since he opened the facility 17 years ago. The 60-year-old American missionary expressed that his last significant time off was in 2017 when he had pulmonary tuberculosis. Known locally as Dr. Tom, he is motivated by his faith to show “the love of Christ” through his medical service.
Sudan is currently in civil war, which has caused over a million people to flee to the Nuba mountains, increasing the pressure on the already limited healthcare resources in the area. With four million people living in the region and only two hospitals available, the situation is dire. The region is also facing a severe famine, which has pushed Dr. Catena’s resources to their limits, creating one of the most challenging periods since the area was attacked in 2011.
Dr. Catena is unaware of the exact number of new arrivals in the Nuba mountains since the fighting began nearly two years ago. However, many have risked their lives to reach the Mother of Mercy hospital, drawn by the reports of Dr. Tom’s extensive care. Layla Mohammed, who traveled for five days to have her malnourished daughter treated, expressed admiration for Dr. Catena’s work, stating, “He’s a good man, we love him. ”
Dressed simply in dusty scrubs and a well-worn Brown University shirt, Dr. Catena highlighted the worsening food security situation in the Nuba mountains. By December, famine was declared in several areas, including the Western Nuba Mountains. Due to extreme food shortages, the hospital has had to ration high-calorie food supplements critical for treating malnutrition.
A significant number of patients that Dr. Catena encounters daily are suffering from malnourishment because of the famine, and he struggles with the emotional and physical toll of his work. He often treats over 100 patients a day and struggles with insomnia, recounting how he can’t find peace at night, often reflecting on the operations he has performed.
Dr. Catena lives in a basic brick compound next to the hospital with his wife Nasima and their two adopted sons. There are no modern amenities like mobile phone signals, paved roads, or running water in their environment, contrasting sharply with his upbringing in Amsterdam, New York. He has endured the ramifications of war before; in 2011, the Sudanese government bombed the area in their fight against a local rebel group, leaving him as the only doctor available to treat the massive influx of wounded.
In acknowledgment of his outstanding bravery and sacrifice in caring for the local population amidst danger, Dr. Catena received the Aurora Prize for humanitarian work. He shared his thoughts on U. S. politics, stating he was content with Donald Trump’s presidency, despite noting that it is unlikely to impact the ongoing civil war in Sudan, as previous presidents like George Bush had shown greater interest in Africa.
As a Catholic mission hospital, Mother of Mercy abides by strict rules against providing birth control or abortions, a stance Dr. Catena reinforces despite sympathizing with those in hard situations. In an effort to build local medical capacity, Dr. Catena and his team opened the St. Bakhita Health Training Institute on the hospital grounds in 2022. This institute is the first in the Nuba mountains to provide accredited medical courses, aiming to prepare local students to continue his legacy.
Currently, 19 clinical officer students and 29 midwifery students are training, with plans to graduate a new intake of nurses and midwives by June 2026. Dr. Catena believes in providing accessible health care and hopes that these graduates will significantly improve medical services in the region.
Though he has outlined plans for his legacy and methods to enhance local healthcare, Dr. Catena continues to work tirelessly. When his pager beeped with a message from a student needing surgical guidance, he immediately rose to attend to his commitment to both teaching and patient care.. Catena continues to work tirelessly, responding to messages from students needing surgical guidance.
African Mission Healthcare are the leading supporters of the Mother of Mercy hospital. Click here to read more and support their work
From the Telegraph
