‘Four children die each day in South Darfur capital’: medical director

Medical sources at Nyala hospital in the capital of South Darfur have revealed that the mortality rate in the children’s department has risen to four cases a day. In an interview in Sudan’s Al Sahafa newspaper, the medical director Dr Zuhal Sharaf Al Din has confirmed that his department receives 150 cases daily, 90 of which are due to malnutrition. Dr Al Din notes that there are no more than 14 beds available, which often requires four children to be put in one bed. He also complained of frequent power failures. “These cause many deaths due to children not being able to receive oxygen in a timely manner.” Speaking to Radio Dabanga, relatives and companions of patients have complained of an acute shortage and lack of medicines in the emergency departments. They noted that the hospital is asking them to pay for linen, gloves and medicines. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: ‘At least 2 children die per day’ in South Darfur camp (23 August 2013) OCHA boss: Sudan malnutrition rate above emergency threshold (16 August 2013)