A baby has been born with deformed head in oil-rich area of Koch in South Sudan’s Northern Liech State, a local official said.
The baby was born last week at a village near Tharjiath oilfields.
Lam Tungwar Kueigwong, the State Minister of Physical Infrastructure, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that a baby was born with deformed head in Koch County last week.
The state minister further said they are looking into possible causes of the birth defects in the area. He pointed out that the state government is worried about the pollution causing infant deformities and miscarriages among pregnant women.
Tungwar revealed that arrangements are underway to take the newly-born baby for treatment outside the state. He said several villagers living near the oilfields have complained of health-related problems resulting from pollution.
“We have been receiving reports from time to time about the environmental and health damages caused by oil pollution. Some families report miscarriages among pregnant women and deformed babies,” Tungwar explained.
He said the state government has formed a specialized committee that has been tasked to visit the oil-producing area, inspect health conditions and submit a report for appropriate measures to be taken.