Doctors say malaria has reached epidemic levels in Abyei, having increased rapidly from a rate that was already 150 patients per day in mid-August.

Abyei Today reported in its Issue 57 that the Agok Civil Hospital reported treating 17,000 patients in six days. Most are children, who also have influenza.

“The hospital has put up more tents for new patients. Some patients told us they had come with symptoms including headache, chest infections and diarrhoea,” the report reads.

Ayom Korchiek, the medical director of Abyei civil hospital, said that the 17,000 patients comprised 6,000 children aged between one month and five years; 7,000 children aged five and above; and 4,000 adults.

He said the South Sudanese health ministry had provided medicine, and he was proud of the efforts of hospital staff. But while he said the situation was under control, he warned there was still a shortage of medicine.

File photo: A child at Agok Hospital (Radio Tamazuj)

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