Civilians in Arroyo County of Northern Bhar el Ghazal are suffering from river blindness without medical help, a local official told Radio Tamazuj. 

Arkanjelo Uchu, the County Commissioner of Arroyo, said that some who have been infected are as young as six years old. 

River Blindness is an eye and skin caused by worms, and is transmitted through repeated bites of types of flies which breed in fast–flowing streams and rivers. Bites increase the risk of blindness for individuals living nearby.

“Especially the Chel South payam," is bad Uchu told Radio Tamazuj in an interview, saying it is chronic in some areas.

Uchu says since the beginning of this year the Aweil State Ministry of Health and NGO’s have not provided medicine. Several attempts to meet the minister of health to discuss the matter have also failed, he said.

MTN not working

Separately, Uchu complained that the only cell-network MTN has not worked since June. MTN officials told Uchu that there has not been enough fuel to operate towers, he said.

“At least we use long rang Radios for communications if there is any concerns,” he said. 

Attempts by Radio Tamazuj to reach officials from the Ministry of Health for comment were unsuccessful.