‘Catastrophic’ medical services in Darfur region

18/09/2012 20:57

The Minister of Health from the Darfur Regional Authority, Osman Al-Bushra, told Radio Dabanga that health and medical services in all five states of Darfur are “tragic and catastrophic”. During his interview from El-Fasher last week, he said that a plan must be designed to counter the current situation. Al-Bushra pointed out that only 25% of the urban population of Darfur have health insurance coverage, while rural residents who are the majority of Darfur’s inhabitants, do not have it. The minister stated that West Darfur, with a population of 1.202.506 inhabitants according to the last census in 2010, is the state with the worst health conditions in the region. In addition, Al-Bushra explained that all five states in Darfur count with a total of 16 specialist and three assistant physicians, 20 general practitioners, five pharmacists, 10 nurses, and three midwives. Al-Bushra declared to Radio Dabanga that the ministry is determined to design an integrated health project for the whole of Darfur next month. He stressed that this project will include plans and programs according to the priorities of the five states. On another note, the federal Ministry of Health issued an official report last week regarding the damages caused by rains since the beginning of the season in all states of Sudan. According to the report, heavy rains affected 50.000 families, damaged 31 localities (28 of which severely), killed 41 people and injured 43. Some of the localities that were severely damaged are: Nertiti and Mukjar in Central Darfur, El-Geneina in West Darfur and Gereida in South Darfur, as reported.Besides, it was reported that the states of South, East and West Darfur face problems concerning undrinkable water. Environmental sanitation and the lack of implementation of initiatives to provide shelter, food, clean water and medicine to the states of Central and West Darfur were also accused in the report.

The Minister of Health from the Darfur Regional Authority, Osman Al-Bushra, told Radio Dabanga that health and medical services in all five states of Darfur are “tragic and catastrophic”. During his interview from El-Fasher last week, he said that a plan must be designed to counter the current situation.

Al-Bushra pointed out that only 25% of the urban population of Darfur have health insurance coverage, while rural residents who are the majority of Darfur’s inhabitants, do not have it.

The minister stated that West Darfur, with a population of 1.202.506 inhabitants according to the last census in 2010, is the state with the worst health conditions in the region. 

In addition, Al-Bushra explained that all five states in Darfur count with a total of 16 specialist and three assistant physicians, 20 general practitioners, five pharmacists, 10 nurses, and three midwives.

Al-Bushra declared to Radio Dabanga that the ministry is determined to design an integrated health project for the whole of Darfur next month. He stressed that this project will include plans and programs according to the priorities of the five states.

On another note, the federal Ministry of Health issued an official report last week regarding the damages caused by rains since the beginning of the season in all states of Sudan.

According to the report, heavy rains affected 50.000 families, damaged 31 localities (28 of which severely), killed 41 people and injured 43.

Some of the localities that were severely damaged are: Nertiti and Mukjar in Central Darfur, El-Geneina in West Darfur and Gereida in South Darfur, as reported.

Besides, it was reported that the states of South, East and West Darfur face problems concerning undrinkable water. Environmental sanitation and the lack of implementation of initiatives to provide shelter, food, clean water and medicine to the states of Central and West Darfur were also accused in the report.