Poor health conditions leave dozens dead in Mornei

Residents of Mornei camp in West Darfur are suffering from poor health conditions as diseases like malaria, typhoid and diarrhea are spreading rapidly. In addition to the rapidly spreading diseases, the residents suffer from malnutrition and a lack of health-care and medication. Dozens of elderly and children died over the past weeks as a result of the deteriorating health conditions. Radio Dabanga was informed by a public relations officer from the camp that the Mornei administration of sheikhs (consisting of 34 sheikhs) received a report from 227 sheikhs and omda’s from Mornei camp about the deteriorating health situation in the camp. One of the sheikhs told Radio Dabanga that the report revealed the death of 64 elderly and 30 children between the ages of one and five over the past two weeks. In addition, the report confirmed that the majority of deaths are a result of diseases like malaria and typhoid. On the other hand, the report revealed significant congestion in Mornei hospital and wards. Due to a lack of available medication, patients are forced to buy their medicine from the market. Many of the patients died because of a lack of health care and the lack of available doctors and specialists. Between 15 and 30 patients visit the hospital every day, the sheikh said. He expressed his concern of the rapid increase of the number of deaths and fears it might shift to an epidemic. The sheikh appealed to the local health authorities and humanitarian organizations to intervene as soon as possible to deal with the deteriorating health situation in Mornei camp.Related content: ‘Catastrophic’ medical services in Darfur region (September 18, 2012)