Dr. Negaasi Tesfay… A Lifeline and Humanitarian Leader in the Heart of the Refugee Crisis in Eastern Sudan
By: Omer Dambai
Al-Qadarif/ Eastern Sudan
Mass Displacement and a Humanitarian Crisis
While searching through my laptop for some pictures, I found a full photo album that took my memory back to late 2020, when war erupted between the central Ethiopian government and the Tigray region, forcing over 70,000 refugees to flee towards Sudan, while nearly one million people were displaced within Ethiopia.
Small border villages like Hamdayet and Al-Hashabah,which could barely accommodate more than 1,500 people, were overwhelmed by tens of thousands of fleeing people. Services collapsed, and the area faced a severe health and humanitarian crisis.
The Refugee Doctor Who Restored Hope
In the heart of one of the largest refugee crises in eastern Sudan, among the exhausted refugee tents in Al-Gadarif, and amidst the whirring of ambulance sirens and the cries of mothers, there was one man radiating hope… Dr. Negaasi Tesfay, the doctor who chose to stand on the side of life, not escape from it, and who became a symbol of compassion and inspiring leadership.
Through his individual efforts and bold humanitarian initiative,he restored hope to thousands of refugees and local communities, earning him the nickname “The Abyssinian Doctor” in recognition of his extraordinary efforts.
In a meeting with him in Al-Gadarif city, Dr. Tesfay was simultaneously managing field medical operations, communicating with donors to secure medicines, and providing technical support via phone to ambulance teams.
The challenges were immense:a cholera outbreak, the spread of respiratory and viral diseases, lack of treatment for chronic illnesses, malnutrition, and the tragedies of childbirth and emergency surgeries.
Building a Health System from Scratch
Dr. Tesfay responded to these challenges by launching a comprehensive health humanitarian initiative based on resilience, sustainability, and equal access to services.
He led awareness campaigns,, established patient support groups, and demanded that international organizations provide urgent support to the camps.
His efforts resulted in effective partnerships with global organizations such as:
· The International Society for Better Healthcare Access (ISBHA)
· The Asmelash Grant Foundation (AGF)
· The Health Professionals Network for Tigray (HPN4Tigray)
These efforts led to tangible achievements, most notably:
· The establishment of the ISBHA primary care clinic, which treats 50-60 patients daily from both refugees and Sudanese.
· Two surgical operating rooms under his supervision, which saved more than 3,500 patients.
· The AGF Foundation’s Mother and Child Clinic, serving 70 mothers and children daily in Um Rakoba camp.
· A cholera treatment center that saved the lives of 165 patients in critical condition.
· A malnutrition treatment unit that brought dozens of children back to life.
Words of Appreciation from Healthcare Leaders:
Dr. Tigist Hailu, a specialist in Family Medicine and Palliative Care, stated that Dr. Negaasi possesses rare leadership:
“He inspired me to establish a free clinic in Al-Hashabah camp. After consulting him, we allocated a budget and opened the clinic, which treats 60 patients daily from refugees and the host community. His leadership and resource management strategies were amazing.”
For his part, Mohamed Al-Hawi, head of the Sudanese Refugee Commission in Al-Gadarif, praised his efforts, saying:
“Dr. Tesfay presented a true picture of humanitarian leadership. Despite using his personal car as an ambulance to transport patients, he demanded the allocation of proper ambulances to save mothers during childbirth. Because of him, our partnerships and joint efforts were strengthened.”
Dr. Ansam Aloub, Head of Organizations at the Ministry of Health in Al-Gadarif, also said:
“Dr. Tesfay was a creative and dedicated national doctor. His initiative to establish a health center in Al-Hashabah village saved thousands of lives. History will remember him with great pride.”
From War to Hope
On the third of November 2020, war broke out in the Tigray region, forcing Dr. Negaasi to seek refuge in Sudan.
Despite his difficult circumstances,upon his arrival, he began building a field health system in cooperation with the authorities and humanitarian organizations.
He coordinated with HPN and ISBHA to secure medical equipment and contributed to establishing a school for children from first to eighth grade inside Al-Hashabah camp.
A Humanitarian Leader with a Global Vision
Today, as Dr. Tesfay prepares to pursue his postgraduate studies in the United States, he remains in constant contact with his colleagues in Sudan, advocating for the rights of refugees and those affected by hunger, floods, and violence.
He has become an example of the humanitarian doctor who combines science and compassion,leadership and vision.
A Legacy of Humanity
Dr. Negaasi Tesfay has left an indelible mark on the history of humanitarian work in eastern Sudan, proving that medicine can be a lifesaving mission that transcends borders and politics.
He is truly a beacon of hope for the thousands of refugees whose lives he saved,or to whom he gave hope for a dignified life once again.
From the depths of suffering, Dr. Negaasi Tesfay wrote a shining chapter in the history of humanity in eastern Sudan, confirming that a true doctor carries not only a stethoscope but also a conscience that pumps life into the hearts of others.