Malaria, schistosomiasis treatments launched in South Darfur

A group therapy campaign was launched in South Darfur to combat malaria, schistosomiasis, and intestinal worms on Thursday, in partnership with the World Health Organisation.

The Health Minister of the State, Yagoub El Domuki, said the start of the campaign in collaboration with the WHO will continue for a month and target two million citizens.

Dr. Rhida Ramzi, the head of the WHO's technical advisory group of the Mediterranean region, expressed willingness to provide medication for the treatment of the three diseases, saying it benefits children's development and helps to improve the educational acquisition in the state.

The malaria programme in Sudan has made huge strides. Between 2000 and 2015, the country reduced the number of malaria cases from more than four million to less than one million. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of deaths due to malaria declined by one-third. Malaria still remains a big concern for Sudan with 11 percent of all out-patient consultations and 13.6 percent of all inpatient admissions in hospitals are attributed to the disease.

Over the next two years, Sudan will receive an additional $30 million from the Global Fund to support malaria interventions. With this additional support the total malaria grant will stands to $116 million for 2015-2017.