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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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.