United Nations (U.N.) agencies have sounded the alarm over the worsening health crisis in Sudan, where more than 1,200 children have tragically lost their lives due to suspected measles and malnutrition in refugee camps.
Thousands of additional children, including newborns, remain at severe risk of death before the year’s end. The dire situation is exacerbated by an ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces, which has severely crippled the country’s healthcare sector.
Dr. Allen Maina, the chief of public health at the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), shared the heartbreaking statistics during a U.N. briefing held in Geneva. Since May, over 1,200 children under the age of five, hailing from Ethiopia and South Sudan, have succumbed to illness and malnutrition in nine camps located in Sudan’s White Nile state, home to a substantial refugee population.
Dr. Maina expressed deep concern, stating, “Unfortunately, we fear numbers will continue rising because of strained resources.” He further emphasized the challenges faced by partners attempting to vaccinate refugees, heightening the risk of epidemics.
In addition to the child deaths, Sudan is grappling with a surge in diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that there have been 56 verified attacks on healthcare facilities since the commencement of the conflict. Shockingly, 70% to 80% of hospitals in conflict-ridden states are now non-operational, severely impeding access to medical care.
UNICEF, the U.N. children’s agency, expressed grave concerns regarding the survival of newborns in Sudan. James Elder, a UNICEF spokesperson, stated, “Many thousands of newborns are at risk of losing their lives.” He stressed the urgent need for skilled delivery care, which has become increasingly elusive due to the country’s dire circumstances. With millions trapped in war zones or displaced, and a dire shortage of medical supplies, the chances of receiving proper care are diminishing daily.
The situation is further exacerbated by the alarming shortage of functional nutrition centers. Every month, approximately 55,000 children require treatment for severe malnutrition. However, fewer than one in 50 nutrition centers are operational in the capital city of Khartoum, and the situation is only slightly better, with one in 10 centers functioning in West Darfur.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached a critical juncture, with children bearing the brunt of this dire situation. Urgent action and international support are imperative to prevent further loss of innocent lives and mitigate the escalating health crisis.
Source: Reuters