Pneumonia cases are on the rise in South Sudan’s Aweil State, a medical doctor said.
The Aweil civil hospital director, Reec Mathok Diing, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that pneumonia related-infections are higher this month compared to previous months.
He attributed the problem to cold weather in the area.
He said at least 15 patients are admitted at the state hospital every day, but no deaths have occurred ever since the disease was reported. “Every winter season, malaria cases reduce but pneumonia conditions increase among young children and adults,” Diing said.
Several citizens complained about shortages of drugs in health centers.
Michael Mawein, a resident of Aweil town, said the harsh weather condition has negatively affected the lives of citizens in the state. “Actually the weather has now changed. It is too cold and this is causing a lot of problems,” he said.
Amos Chan, another local resident, said the cold weather has forced many people to stay at home in the last few three days. He further said most public health facilities lack medicines, yet citizens cannot afford to buy medicines from private pharmacies.
Pneumonia is a respiratory condition in which there is an infection of the lung caused by bacteria or viruses. Anyone can be affected, but young children and the elderly are most susceptible.