Dengue Fever and Diarrhoea Outbreaks Threaten Sudan’s Fragile Health System
Dengue fever and acute watery diarrhea outbreaks in war-torn Sudan have led to a devastating health crisis, with medics reporting hundreds of deaths. The Sudanese doctors’ union issued a statement warning of catastrophic spreads that could overwhelm the country’s already fragile health system.
The southeastern state of Gedaref, which borders Ethiopia, has been particularly affected by the outbreaks. Despite being spared the direct effects of the armed conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Gedaref has faced mass displacement and other humanitarian crises. The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that 80 percent of Sudan’s hospitals are currently out of service, as stated by the United Nations.
Even before the war, Sudan’s healthcare system struggled to contain the annual disease outbreaks that occur during the rainy season, including malaria and dengue fever. This year, with Gedaref hosting over 250,000 internally displaced persons, the situation has worsened significantly.
Reports indicate that the hospitals in Gedaref are overwhelmed, with all beds occupied. The number of people receiving treatment at home far exceeds those admitted to the hospital. One medical source revealed that children are among the most affected.
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, causes high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding that can lead to death. The violence in Sudan, coupled with the rainy season and decimated infrastructure, has heightened concerns about disease outbreaks. Since May, more than 1,200 children have died in refugee camps, partly due to a measles outbreak.
Other regions in Sudan have also reported alarming disease figures. In El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, there have been 13 cases of malaria reported in a week. In Khartoum, three people died from acute watery diarrhea suspected to be cholera.
These health crises only compound the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. Half of the country’s population relies on aid to survive, and six million people are on the brink of starvation, according to the UN. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian representative in Sudan, warned that disaster is imminent and called on donors to release funds immediately to provide life-saving aid.
The conflict in Sudan has already claimed nearly 7,500 lives, and dozens of hospitals have been bombed or occupied by fighters, showing a disregard for civilian lives. The few remaining medics and aid workers are themselves targeted, and their supplies are stolen by desperate individuals in need.
Sudan’s health ministry recently revealed that RSF forces have seized control of the main medical supplies warehouse, resulting in the loss of medicines and equipment worth $500 million. Additionally, 70 percent of specialized centers’ equipment in Khartoum has been lost.
Even before the war, Sudanese citizens faced challenges accessing medical care, with one in three individuals having to walk over an hour for treatment. The availability of vital medicines was also significantly limited. The dire situation has now reached a critical point, with disease outbreaks posing an even greater threat to Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system.
As the international community works to address the complex challenges facing Sudan, immediate attention must be given to providing aid and support to combat the current health crisis. Failure to do so could lead to further loss of life and the collapse of the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
