Cholera: Concerns and Warnings
Mashaer Idris
The cholera epidemic has spread significantly in several states of the country, leading to urgent interventions by the Ministry of Health and emergency committees. Some youth initiatives have been launched, including spraying campaigns and citizen awareness. Several emergency committees have considered that the continuation of the war has contributed to the increase in cholera rates due to the lack of supplies and solutions in some conflict areas.
The United Nations expects 3.1 million cases of watery diarrhea and cholera in 8 out of the 18 Sudanese states from July to the end of this year.
Hisham Osman, the director of the General Administration for Emergencies in the Red Sea state, revealed suspected cases of cholera in the locality of Suakin, prompting urgent interventions.
Precautionary measures in the Red Sea state include the daily closure of the main market from 5 PM to 5 AM starting from Saturday for health reasons.
Hisham Osman confirmed in statements to the press the preparation of an isolation center in the Suakin locality. He appealed to health-supporting organizations, health-focused organizations, and community initiatives to urgently support emergency operations and increase interventions to confront emergencies.
He pointed to the start of campaigns to combat epidemics and disease vectors, praising the recent decisions of the state to restrict movement, contributing to epidemic control. He called for support for the national laboratory.
Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, emphasized the need to activate public health laws to protect citizens and reduce morbidity and mortality.
During the emergency health meeting in the Red Sea state, the Minister of Health called on partners to increase their interventions urgently to ensure that field operations for emergency axes do not stop under the current circumstances.
The minister affirmed his ministrys readiness to coordinate and follow up with the states health ministry to facilitate the tasks of the emergency committee and ensure the continuation of work to confront epidemics in the state.
He emphasized that health is a priority for the state, noting that epidemics do not wait, calling on all partners to increase interventions and redistribute supplies to the most affected states.
He announced a plan to develop hospitals in the Red Sea state, stating that his ministry is working to provide emergency supplies.
A source in Sudans health department reported 2,838 cholera cases, including 85 deaths, in 6 states in the country.
The source added that cases in the Gezira state reached 1,350, including 41 deaths, Khartoum 409 cases, including 22 deaths, Jazeera 633 cases, including 12 deaths, South Kordofan 400 cases, including 8 deaths, Kassala 33 cases, including one death, Sennar 11 cases, and the Red Sea two cases, including one death.
An official in the health ministry did not rule out the possibility of outbreaks during the autumn season. Precautions have been taken for these outbreaks for a long time by providing pesticides, solutions, and necessary medications for control.
He noted that the continuation of war and conflicts in some areas has contributed to the failure to deliver emergency supplies to those areas, leading to an increase in cholera rates.
Meanwhile, citizen Mohammed Saleh in Port Sudan criticized the authorities for their slow response and delay in spraying campaigns, especially as Port Sudan suffers from fly density, in addition to the accumulation of waste, especially in markets, which will lead to the spread of cholera.
The health system is grappling with various diseases, including cholera, malaria, and fevers, despite the severe shortage of medicines, equipment, and medical personnel, with 70% of hospitals out of service in conflict areas, including the states of Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.
