The health affairs secretary of the Sudanese rebel group SPLM-N has described the health situation in areas of South Kordofan under the group’s controlas extremely poor and ‘alarming’.

Tutu Mustafa Turkash told Radio Tamazuj that the biggest challenges facing these areas are emergency cases such as those with wounds, burns or needing intensive care, although the prevalence of malaria and malnutrition continue to pose a major challenge.

“The cases of malnutrition are noted to be second of most prevalent diseases following malaria, according to our epidemiological report of 2012 which shows that there are some problems with food nutrition in general,” acknowledged Tutu.

South Kordofan state has suffered violence since 2011 when fighting broke out between the SPLA-N and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).  Civilians have been subjected to ground attacks and aerial bombardment while the government has denied humanitarian access to any international organisation attempting to provide assistance.

Some reports from the region indicate that civilians have reverted to using of traditional medicine, known locally as ‘alkai treatment’ in the absence of modern healthcare.