North Darfur wants to fill midwife shortage

The Governor of North Darfur, Abdul Wahed Yousif acknowledged that there is a shortage of midwives and an increase in maternal mortality and malnutrition among children in the state. He addressed the graduation of midwives and assistant cadres in North Darfur on Monday.

In order to reduce this ratio to the lowest level possible, the Governor said he is committed to appoint graduates of the Academy of Health Sciences in El Fasher to work in localities and fill the staff shortage.

On Monday, North Darfur state received a number of devices and advanced equipment for several hospitals.

Federal Minister of Health, Bahar Idris Abu Garda, in his address at the graduation announced that his Ministry plans to supply medical equipment to 400 hospitals in the state. Seven hospitals were covered in 2015, he said, and six have received supplies this year.

Rabak devoid of doctors

The shortage of medical staff in Rabak Teaching Hospital in White Nile has lasted for more than a month. “People have lost their lives during emergencies because of a lack of doctors,” an inhabitant of Rabak told Radio Dabanga.

“The shortage of shift doctors when emergencies occur has become problematic. Promises by the state authorities to address the staff shortage have been to no avail.”

He said that the situation prompted the director of the academic hospital to resignate.

One month ago, listeners complained about the dire conditions in the hospital, 320 kilometres south of the capital Khartoum.