Fire destroys vaccines in Ed Daein, East Darfur – arson suspected

A fire at the immunisation office in Ed Daein, the capital of East Darfur, has destroyed all vaccines stored in the building. A medical source told Radio Dabanga that a fire broke out in the immunisation office at about 8pm on Wednesday, destroying 23 refrigerators containing various vaccines. According to the source, investigations confirmed that arson was involved. The General Secretary of East Darfur state, Ahmed Mohamed El Doud confirmed the burning of all 23 refrigerators at the immunisation office, containing various vaccines, including those for polio and scabies. El Doud reported the fire was probably caused by a short circuit, noting that a committee was formed to investigate the cause of the fire. Strike Doctors at the Ed Daein hospital decided to go on an open-ended strike on Sunday to protest against the non-payment of their bonuses as well as the leaking of large quantities of medicines and vaccines from the hospital to the markets. The General Secretary of East Darfur state, El Doud, told Radio Dabanga that the doctors resumed their work again on Monday after they had received the arrears in payments, of which the monthly total amounts to SDG46,000 ($10,380 according to the official rate).He noted that most of the doctors working at the hospital are fulfilling their National Service obligations. File photo: A woman prepares an injection for the vaccination campaign against meningitis at the School of Midwives in El Daein, East Darfur (Albert González Farran/Unamid)