Health conditions are said to be deteriorating in Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile State of Sudan, as prices of drugs rise. An official who preferred not to be named told Radio Tamazuj that the living conditions especially in terms of health are getting worse.

He disclosed that the state is experiencing soaring prices of drugs. “For instance, the price of the drip in the pharmacy is for ten pounds. Medical check up for malaria costs ten pounds, and the malaria drug is forty pounds. Now it’s difficult for the citizens who cannot afford very expensive medical expenses to meet the doctor,” the source explained.

The health official blamed both the state ministry of health and humanitarian organizations for failing to carry out work in the state, noting that the citizens have been repeatedly complaining to the authorities over the deterioration of health condition, but to no avail.

Employee of the state ministry of health have supposedly also been planning to stage a protest over non-payment of their salaries.

If their demands are not solved by the authorities the protest will last for long time, the source said, adding that the ministry has been using the continuing state of emergency in the country as an excuse.

Radio Tamazuj is also informed that citizens of the state were affected by heavy rains including in Damazin, Gisan and Kurmuk areas.

Internally displaced people were reportedly most affected by the rainfalls and some are now living in flooded accommodations.

Seventy-five (75) houses were destroyed by rains in Roseires and 75 houses in Dawaia town. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has not been able to provide food assistance and sheets to the affected people.