The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported a surge in dengue fever cases, with the total number rising to 773, including three fatalities. This outbreak has spread across four states, with the latest cases identified in Karari locality, Khartoum State (43 cases), and Kassala (37 cases).
Dr. Hiba Omar, head of the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate, attributed the severity of the health crisis to a dire shortage of medicines. She highlighted that government restrictions and ongoing attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are severely impeding the operations of both local and international health organizations, with aid shipments often being looted or blocked entirely.
“In response, organizations are resorting to alternative methods to supply aid, such as procuring essential medical supplies through local civilian networks,” Dr. Omar explained. She added that the syndicate has refrained from publicizing its activities to avoid government retaliation and emphasized that healthcare workers and volunteers are being systematically targeted.
Dr. Abbas Abu Shama, a member of the Doctors Syndicate’s preparatory committee, painted a grim picture of the situation. “The health system in Sudan is on the brink of collapse, especially in 13 states where health services are essentially non-existent. In the remaining states, the services are severely limited.”
He noted the rising casualties due to the escalating conflict, citing a recent airstrike in Al-Koma, North Darfur, that killed 50 people and injured over 250. The area, lacking proper healthcare, is a stark example of the mounting crisis.
Dr. Radwan Musa raised alarms over the growing malnutrition crisis, particularly in North Darfur, where malnutrition rates among children and the elderly are between 30% and 40%. He warned that this is coinciding with outbreaks of infectious diseases like cholera and hemorrhagic fevers.
Dr. Ihsan Faqiri noted that the health sector has been deteriorating for decades due to misguided policies dating back to 1979. He added that the ongoing war, which began on April 15, has devastated critical infrastructure, particularly in the health sector, worsening an already dire situation.
