Cases of severe disease, including meningitis, among children have risen by at least threefold in Khartoum as rotting bodies in the war-torn streets of Sudan create the perfect environment for infection to spread, a doctor at one of the few remaining paediatric hospitals in the capital has told The National.
“Rotting corpses and widespread looting that has left behind food waste … have caused an environmental hazard on Sudan's streets,” said Mohammad Fath Abdulrahman, general manager of Al Nada Hospital in Omdurman.
Since the war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army broke out on April 15, more than 700 civilians have been killed and countless others wounded.
Exact numbers are difficult to obtain, as security concerns prevent doctors from visiting certain areas to carry out assessments.
“The mortality rates amongst children at our hospital stands at 5 per cent – which is high – but it's due to the severity of cases and shortage of necessary equipment,” Dr Abdulrahman said.
“We are receiving children with meningitis who are in a very critical state because they arrived at the very last possible minute.”
Meningitis is an inflammation in the brain and spinal cord caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Since the war began, videos of uniformed men lying dead in residential areas have been circulating on social media. People have also described seeing bodies wrapped in blankets, waiting to be collected.
Residents, doctors, UN officials and humanitarian workers say that homes, hospitals and aid have also been looted.
The presence of human remains and rotting food following looting in marketplaces “have led to a severe lack of hygiene in the streets”, Dr Abdulrahman said.
“This has helped create the spike in meningitis cases we've been seeing.”
The war has also resulted in banks being robbed or closed down, leaving people with no access to funds.
“People are having to sell their possessions just to eat. So money is a concern when it comes to getting treatment,” Dr Abdulrahman said.
'Healthcare collapse'
At least 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict areas in and around Khartoum are out of service, the latest figures from Sudan's Doctors' Association show.
In addition, Khartoum is the country's healthcare centre, so the impact of fighting there has had major repercussions nationwide.
“Work in elective surgeries has mostly stopped. Now, hospitals are mainly dealing with emergency cases like war trauma patients and others who need dialysis and chemotherapy, for example,” Dr Faisal Nugud, director of the Sudanese American Physicians Association's regional office in Madani, told The National.
“Khartoum was also the main supplier of medicines and medical care. Consumables are depleting, including dialysis solutions, chemotherapy needs and surgical tools like gauze and gloves.”
Doctors and healthcare workers have been appealing for assistance.
“The humanitarian situation is dire,” Dr Nugud said.
Although the warring sides have agreed to a ceasefire on several occasions, fighting is still continuing.
“I expect a major collapse in the healthcare system” if the situation continues, Dr Nugud said.
Dr Abdulrahman, who has chosen to stay in Omdurman despite the chaos and violence to help those most in need, agreed.
“We are operating at a loss right now. But we have to remain open,” he said.
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Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
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Penalties: Biggar (4)
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
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Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
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Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
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Plate men
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Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
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