Sudan: Dengue Fever Spreads Alongside the War
By Mashaer Idris
Several cases of dengue fever, malaria, and cholera have spread in the country due to the deteriorating environment, especially amid the ongoing war that has affected several Sudanese states. This has led the World Health Organization to declare the Kassala State a disease-prone area.
The spread of these epidemics comes at a critical time, with over 80% of healthcare facilities out of service. Additionally, the majority of areas suffer from a shortage of medicines, equipment, and funding due to the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 15th last year.
Last Monday, the World Health Organization reported 24 Sudanese citizens deaths due to malaria and dengue fever, with over 700,000 clinical malaria cases in 11 states, and over 3,700 suspected cases of dengue fever in four states.
Dengue fever patients experience severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting, fatigue, skin rashes, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing.
The Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, stated in local media that around 70% of healthcare facilities in conflict-affected areas are non-operational, and about 20% of healthcare facilities in stable states lack proper equipment and staff.
The organization has issued an urgent appeal for the collection of 145.2 million to meet the healthcare needs of 7.6 million people requiring urgent health assistance in Sudan. This also includes the needs of 500,000 individuals who have been forced to flee to neighboring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, between June and December 2023.
A medical source at Kassala Hospital reported 900 cases of dengue fever, including 19 fatalities. The source added that the number of infections is higher than reported, with most cases being treated at home without access to hospitals. Additionally, there have been 284 cases of cholera, with 11 fatalities, most of them in Kassala locality.
One patient in Kassala State complained of the skyrocketing prices of dengue fever rapid tests in laboratories, ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 Sudanese pounds. The patient mentioned that there are no rapid testing labs in government hospitals in Kassala, forcing people to use private labs that have raised their test prices.
Another patient reported an increase in the price of Paracetamol solution to 3,000 Sudanese pounds in the states pharmacies.
Kassala State is facing a severe shortage of dengue fever medications, including intravenous solutions and Paracetamol, alongside rising prices in pharmacies. Purchases are facilitated through individuals working in pharmacies, leading to overcrowding in Kassala Hospital.
The Director of Emergency at the Ministry of Health and Social Development in Kassala State, Anwar Banaga, expressed concern last Saturday about the lack of necessary funding from the government and organizations to combat the dengue fever outbreak that has been spreading widely in the state for weeks.
Banaga revealed 250 cases of watery diarrhea, including 15 fatalities, and 800 cases of dengue fever, including 10 deaths, according to health institutions records.
During a press and community forum organized by the Journalists Tent in Kassala State on the states health situation, Banaga stated that the state government is making significant efforts to eliminate dengue fever and watery diarrhea throughout the state, aiming to reach zero cases of dengue fever and watery diarrhea in the upcoming third round of efforts.
Banaga criticized both the government and organizations for not providing adequate funding for the campaigns, except for one-time funding for Kassala Municipality that has not reached 100%.
Last week, the Sudanese Ministry of Health confirmed through laboratory testing the spread of cholera in the states of Kassala and Khartoum, with approximately 24 deaths due to the disease.
The Federal Minister of Health, Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim, previously stated that the dengue fever epidemic has spread to 8 states, including the Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, Al-Jazirah, Sennar, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and North Darfur.
