Sudanese citizens are enduring harsh and severe conditions as they find themselves battling a new, deadlier threat—cholera. The deadly epidemic has infected hundreds and claimed dozens of lives.
These outbreaks are occurring alongside the deterioration of environmental health across several Sudanese cities due to water contamination, sewage overflow, and the accumulation of war debris and garbage.
Lack of Healthcare Services
Dr. Adel Al-Nour, a specialist in epidemic control, told Mashawir platform that, “The few hospitals and medical centers that are still operating are struggling to cope with the scale of the emergency, especially in Omdurman, Gezira, and Sennar states. Hospitals in these areas are receiving around 70 cases per day, amid shortages of medical personnel, hospital beds, intravenous fluids, and basic medical supplies.”
He added, “The situation is dire. Delays in seeking medical help often lead to patients dying either en route to medical centers or upon arrival, lying on hospital floors. Treatment services are severely limited, and there are great difficulties in providing assistance to the infected.”
Dr. Al-Nour explained that, “A cholera patient requires 6 to 8 IV fluid bags daily, but many citizens cannot afford the costs—especially after exhausting their financial savings, the collapse of daily livelihoods, and the suspension of public and private sector salaries for over two years.”
He continued, “The complete shutdown of hospital services is a realistic scenario in the states where cholera is spreading. This would threaten public health even more, particularly as water and electricity outages significantly impact those undergoing treatment.”
Hospital Crises
Nahla Hamid, a resident of Shambat in Bahri (Khartoum North), told Mashawir platform: “The health situation in the capital is catastrophic. Most hospitals have ceased operations. There’s a severe shortage of medical supplies and medicines. There’s also no means of transport or fuel to save lives.”
She added that her father, along with hundreds of other patients, was transferred from the isolation center in Omdurman to Umbada Hospital, which itself lacks basic necessities like food, water, and electricity. Overcrowding makes it almost impossible to care for patients in need.
Hamid noted, “Six patients died in a single day due to a lack of IV fluids and their families’ inability to purchase medicine. The health conditions of dozens of others are extremely concerning.”
Decline and Improvement?
In contrast, Sudanese Minister of Health Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim stated that, “The health situation in the country is steadily improving, with progress in containing the cholera outbreak thanks to support from the government, Khartoum state authorities, and international organizations.”
He added that “The supply of medical aid in the three capital cities—Omdurman, Bahri, and Khartoum—is sufficient to combat the outbreak, especially after the arrival of 150 tons of IV fluids, along with the implementation of vaccination campaigns across Sudan.”
Ibrahim expressed optimism that cholera would subside through the integrated efforts of the Ministry of Health and Khartoum State, which are focusing on quarantine center operations, preventive measures, and environmental sanitation.
Conflicting Figures
Meanwhile, there is significant discrepancy in the official figures reported for cholera-related infections and deaths. The Ministry of Health in Khartoum announced 2,729 cases and 172 deaths within one week.
However, the Provisional Committee of the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate reported 1,335 cases and 500 deaths in Omdurman alone.
In contrast, a statement by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that cholera cases in Khartoum increased tenfold—jumping from 90 cases to 815 cases per day in just 10 days, from May 15 to May 25. UNICEF also warned that one million children in Khartoum State are at risk of contracting cholera.
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