It takes two to Sango at The Townsville Hospital

An Ethiopian refugee who speaks a rare dialect of the Central Africa Republic has given birth to a healthy baby girl at The Townsville Hospital supported by one of only two Sango interpreters in the world.

Determined that the language would not be a barrier to Angele Klah’s care Townsville Hospital interpreter services team leader Susan Lucas set out to find someone who could translate for Angele at her ante-natal appointments.

“I researched Sango-speaking interpreters across the world and found one in France and one in Australia,” Susan said.

“The translator in France agreed to translate Angele’s appointments and despite the time difference, we committed to making it work.”

Angele Klah was already five months pregnant when she arrived in Townsville four months ago and the language barrier initially made providing her maternity care a challenge.

Angele was assigned a midwifery navigator Judy Foote was at her side from day one.

“Judy helped to make sure I was able to be heard and understood in my appointments by working with interpreter services to find an interpreter who speaks my language,” Angele said through her interpreter.

Angele said that being supported to have an interpreter at her appointments allowed her to express what was in her heart.

“Without an interpreter I would go home without unloading what is in my heart,” she said.

“Judy has taken good care of me, she checked my baby, if I needed to see the doctors, she would make sure that happened and I really appreciate what she has done for me.

“Now I have a healthy baby girl and I couldn’t have done it without Judy and my interpreter.”

Judy said Townsville Hospital interpreter services team leader Susan Lucas was critical to ensuring Angele was not disadvantaged by the language barrier.

“Susan researched Sango-speaking translators and didn’t rest until she found one,” she said.

Susan said that Angele having a healthy baby was proof that providing an interpreter for patients resulted in better clinical outcomes.

“From a patient’s point of view, when they come here, they don’t understand the equipment or what clinicians are saying,” she said.

“It is so foreign to them and that is upsetting and unsettling and often leaves them with no confidence to come back to hospital.

“It is important to create an environment where patients can have things explained and can ask questions.”

Judy said several resources were used during Angele’s labour to aid communication.

“We predominately used cue card with pictures to help Angele communicate how she was feeling,” Judy said.

“The cards had pictures to symbolise if Angele’s pain levels were too much, if she needed water and some of the cards had words written in Sango.

“It’s great that her birth was uncomplicated, and she and baby are very settled now and preparing to go home.”

Judy said she was humbled by the positive feedback Angele had about The Townsville Hospital.

“Throughout Angele’s care with us I expected her to be scared but in fact she said she trusted the health professionals, equipment and medicine,” she said.

“She likened the health care staff to her mother, and if we were to choose something for her it would be acceptable because it was chosen for her.

“It was quite incredible to be held in such high regard by this patient, but she, and patients like her are very vulnerable without having a voice and epitomise just how valuable translators can be in health care."