Women and children die of anaemia, typhoid in South Darfur

The citizens of Gireida locality in South Darfur have complained about the high number of deaths among pregnant women due to bleeding and anaemia. Also an outbreak of typhoid and diarrhoea has been reported in the locality as a result of the deteriorating health and hygiene situation. A medical source in Gireida told Radio Dabanga that the mortality rate is between one to three people per month in the locality. “There is one general practitioner in a hospital, compared to the population of 300,000 people in Gireida.” The number of visitors of patients ranges between 30 to 40 patients each day, the source reported. A number of listeners from Gireida reported that a minor operation costs between SDG150-SDG300 ($26-$52) and a large operation between SDG500 to SDG800 ($87-$139). A patient transport from Gireida to Nyala, the rent of a vehicle, and other facilities (a midwife or nurse) cost SDG1,500 ($261). The residents also pointed to the many incidences of deaths among pregnant women and of children, and the spread of typhoid, diarrhoea, and coughing. File photo by Albert González Farran / Unamid Related: Health care and medicine shortage in Gereida camp, South Darfur (13 October 2013)