‘Significant increase’ – Outbreaks of deadly diseases contribute to rise in deaths of children in war-torn Sudan

« The health situation in Al Qadarif, eastern Sudan has reportedly deteriorated as there has been an increase in the detection of cholera and dengue fever cases, alongside more than 130 reported deaths among children due to malnutrition in recent months.
Footage filmed on Wednesday shows sick children and their mothers in the hospital and sleeping on the beds.
Dr. Nisreen Khalid, the Director General of Children’s Hospital, mentioned that the hospital is currently experiencing a rise in pediatric diseases, including infectious and malnutrition-related conditions.
She added that has been a notable increase in the number of fatalities, with 132 recorded over the past four months due to malnutrition, malaria, waterborne diarrhea, dengue fever, and visceral leishmaniasis.
« The hospital suffers from a significant shortage of medicines, especially those for visceral leishmaniasis. As for malnutrition, there are some organisations that provide the medications, such as the WHO and UNICEF.” she added.
“My daughter has suffered from malnutrition for months and she is taking processed milk. She is getting better. They are supporting us by giving her milk every two hours in addition to special meals. They also provide injections from the hospital’s pharmacy, yet we might have to buy the antibiotics from the market.” said Dan Motakel, a mother of a sick child.
Sudanese healthcare professionals have issued a warning, indicating that the arrival of seasonal rains and the repercussions of over five months of conflict have contributed to the spread of cholera and dengue fever. This is putting additional strain on an already fragile healthcare system, which was struggling even before the outbreak of hostilities.
Health authorities have now confirmed cholera cases, marking the first since the conflict commenced between rival military factions in mid-April. They report that the earliest case was identified in al-Qadarif state in late August.
The armed conflict that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15 has killed more than 7,000 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. »



Source link