Ringworm spreads in Otash camp, South Darfur

Children in Otash camp for the displaced near Nyala, capital of South Darfur are suffering from the spread of ringworm. 

A camp sheikh reported to Radio Dabanga that the contagious fungal disease appeared in October last year. It broke out among the pupils of the Abubakar basic school at Centre 6 in October last year.

“Although an ointment was prescribed for the pupils, it did not stop the spread,” he said.

He appealed to the South Darfur authorities “to treat the pupils and halt the disease from spreading all over the camp”.

Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and in spite of its name, is not due to a ‘worm’ at all. It’s the most common form of ‘athletes foot’ and causes a scaly, crusted rash on the skin. Other symptoms and signs of ringworm include scaling on the scalp, itching, and blister-like lesions. The disease can be successfully treated with anti-fungal medications.

Fees

Parents in the camp complain about teachers flogging and evicting their children if they do not pay the monthly school fees of SDG15 ($2.5).

The sheikh pointed out that the majority of the parents are unemployed. “They barely survive, so paying monthly fees to the teachers is just impossible”.

He called on “all camp teachers in Darfur not to beat or expel pupils for not paying tuition fees”.