Rabak: ‘Largest power station in Sudan, empty hospital’

President Al Bashir opened the largest thermal power station in Sudan near Rabak, capital of White Nile state, on Thursday. The Rabak Teaching Hospital is reportedly devoid of medical staff and life-saving equipment.

On Thursday, the Sudanese president inaugurated the power station in Um Dabakir village, near Rabak, last week.

Al Bashir ceremoniously unveiled a plaque and signed the documents for the commercial generation of the plant and the handing over to the Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity.

The 500 MW crude oil fired thermal power plant was set up by the Government of India enterprise, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.

The president said in his opening speech that the supply of electricity to agricultural projects is to be prioritised. He stressed the importance of expanding the Jebel Aulia Dam in southern Khartoum state, and to make use of indulged lands by cultivating rice.

Hospital

A resident of Rabak, 320 kilometres south of Khartoum, complained to Radio Dabanga about the dire conditions of the Rabak Teaching Hospital.

He said that he went to the hospital on Friday, and “did not see one medical doctor.

“Relatives of two dead patients told me that they died owing to the lack of oxygen. They had attempted to contact the hospital director, but he did not respond.”

The source further complained about the soaring prices. “An LPG cylinder now costs SDG150 ($25) if available. And the queues in front of the bakeries have returned again. President Omar Al Bashir visited us yesterday and had the chance to see us in this rapidly deteriorating situation.”