Pastor Simon Pierre Lamah, suffering from a herniated disc, was flown to Conakry by MAF for urgent surgery and appropriate care.
Story by Joel Conte
Pastor Simon Pierre Lamah is the national head of the Sunday school department of the Evangelical Protestant Church in Guinea. He had been suffering for some time from a particularly painful and disabling herniated disc, but getting to the right hospital wasn’t a straightforward task.
“We were worried because of the road conditions – the patient couldn’t take the road,” said Antoine Haba, head of administration and finance of the Nzao hospital.
“In fact, it would be complicated to go to Conakry by ambulance because he feels very bad, he can hardly move.
“It was necessary to evacuate him to Conakry for the appropriate care, and so we used the services of MAF to help us with transport,” said Antoine.
The severity of Pastor Lamah’s condition made any overland travel extremely risky and unbearable. Faced with the urgency of the situation and the need for surgery, a quick and safe air transfer to a specialised medical centre in Conakry had become imperative.
“We, his children, are seven in number, including a girl,” said Mathieu Emile Lamah, son of Pastor Lamah.
“I am third in birth order, and I am currently a student in rural economics. I am 25 years old today, and I’ve seen my parents’ ministry in Kissidougou since 2008. That’s where my father is engaged in full-time ministry.
“He suffers from a disease that was finally detected – the herniated disc. So, we came to Nzao on Sunday, and we had a lot of care but it ultimately didn’t pay off. And it was decided that he would be sent to Conakry,” said Mathieu Emile.
Antoine observed Pastor Lamah’s painful condition.
“We received him the day before last night at the Nzao hospital from Kissidougou by an ambulance. He was in a lot of back pain, the pain was extremely intense.”
The pastor’s severe illness required rapid intervention – and that’s where MAF came in.
The flight made it possible to safely cover the distance between Nzérékoré and Conakry, offering Pastor Lamah comfort and speed impossible by any other means.
“The road trip is a bit tiring. We all know the realities of Guinea,” said Mathieu Emile.
“The roads are gradually degraded. So, I think, by traveling with MAF, it becomes a little easier. And then it saves time, and it also saves energy.”
Antoine is thankful for MAF’s presence in Guinea.
“We can truly say Glory to God for the effective availability of MAF,” he said. “It is a relief in more ways than one.”
Mathieu Emile urged MAF to continue the kind of ministry that helped his father.
“I would like much more that you would continue in this humanitarian work,” he said. “And that you could continue to impact people so that the Lord’s work would be done.”