Sudan: Warning of a humanitarian catastrophe in West Bara... More than 200,000 cholera and measles cases
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
The Sudanese Doctors Syndicate warned of a serious deterioration in the humanitarian and health conditions in the western Bara regions of North Kordofan state, stressing that more than 200,000 citizens, including more than 20,000 children, are facing tragic circumstances due to the severe shortage of food and medicine, coinciding with the outbreak of cholera and measles epidemics.
The network explained that the ongoing crisis threatens to trigger a widespread humanitarian disaster, given the decline in health services and the difficulty in getting medical and food supplies to the affected areas.
Cholera and measles cases recorded among children
According to the network, more than 100 measles cases were reported among children in a number of health centers, in addition to 45 cholera cases, at a time when health facilities are suffering from a severe shortage of medicines, IV fluids, vaccines, and essential medical supplies.
It was confirmed that this situation increases the risks of disease transmission, especially among children and vulnerable groups, as living conditions continue to deteriorate.
Hospitals and Health Centers Operating Without Supplies
The Sudanese Doctors' Syndicate indicated that a number of hospitals and health centers are now operating without any medical supplies, including Taiba Al-Zatari Hospital and Umm Kredem Hospital, in addition to several health centers in the areas of Al-Shaqila, Awlad Awanah, Umm Sadoun Al-Nazir, Umm Dhauban, Al-Mirah, Al-Haj Al-Lain, Damira Abdo, Al-Kukiti, Al-Qaa'a, Umm Hujajlij, Dawid, Al-Shouq, Umm Ashira, and Al-Nabda.
The affected areas also include the administrative units of Tayba al-Zaatari, Umm Kridam, al-Mazroub, Umm Saadoun, Dmira, and al-Haj al-Lain, bringing the total number of people affected by the crisis to more than 200,000.
Warning of rising deaths
The network affirmed that the continued interruption of medical and food supplies and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering the affected areas portend an increase in death rates, especially among children, patients, and the elderly, with a growing risk of the health situation spiraling out of control.
She stressed that the lack of food and safe water exacerbates the crisis and complicates efforts to contain disease outbreaks in the region.
Calls for urgent international intervention
The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate appealed to the United Nations, humanitarian and relief organizations, and international health bodies to intervene urgently to deliver medicines, intravenous fluids, vaccines, and medical supplies, in addition to providing food and safe drinking water, in order to curb the spread of cholera and measles and save the lives of thousands of civilians in West Bara.
It was confirmed that a rapid response represents an urgent humanitarian necessity to avoid a health catastrophe that could extend its effects to other areas in North Kordofan state.
