White Nile: Cholera still spreading

According to reports from Sudan’s White Nile state, 16 people have died and 265 others have been infected with cholera.

On Wednesday Abdel Rahman El Siddig, the head of civil society organisations in the state, told Radio Dabanga that cases of cholera are increasing which requires rapid intervention by all relevant authorities.

He explained that the health isolation centres in El Gezira Aba and its surrounding villages, Kosti and Rabak have received new cases on Wednesday.

He pointed to the shortage of intravenous solutions and ambulances to transport patients.

A total of 40 people have reportedly been infected with cholera at Wedalnora area of El Gezira Aba and the daily visits to Wedalnora hospital have amounted to 15 amid a severe lack of medicines.

Isolation

El Siddig, told Radio Dabanga that the centre located at Taksaboun village is not for isolation, but to gather the patients in order to transfer them to El Gezira Aba hospital.

He pointed out that the isolation ward in El Gezira Aba hospital cannot accommodate more than 13 patients, so it is in the process of permanently discharging and receiving patients.

He said the infection is steadily increasing amid a significant shortage of medicines.

The people of El Gezira Aba have launched a campaign titled “buy an intravenous solution to save a life” in order to attract financial support for the purchase of cholera treatment medicines for patients, as the state and federal health authorities have failed to provide medicines.

There is also pressure to declare a State of Emergency in the state to combat the cholera epidemic.