Tens of thousands of Sudanese people have fallen victim to dengue fever and other diseases as the country’s healthcare system struggles to cope with the aftermath of nearly 30 months of war.
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has destroyed power grids and running water systems, creating ideal breeding conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever.
According to the Ministry of Health, over 2,000 cases of dengue fever were recorded nationwide in one week, mostly in Khartoum.
However, Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim estimates that the actual number of cases could be tens of thousands, as 80% of cases are mild and don’t reach hospitals.
The minister emphasized that the war has had a direct impact on the environment, health, and waste management, leading to a high prevalence of mosquitoes.
The rainy season has exacerbated the situation, leaving pools of standing water across the country and forcing people to store water at home, which further contributes to the mosquito population.
Efforts to vaccinate the population and treat water have shown some success in controlling cholera outbreaks in the capital, but the Darfur region has seen a peak in cases, with 12,739 reported over the past four months.
The World Health Organization has reported that global aid cuts have hampered the ability to treat these diseases, and $39 million is needed to address the concurrent epidemics.
Sudan’s donor-dependent healthcare system is currently less than a third funded, highlighting the urgent need for international support to mitigate the crisis.
