Bahr Idris Abu Garda, Sudan’s National Minister of Health has denied reports that there has been an outbreak of cholera in Blue Nile State.
Bahr told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that diarrhoea outbreaks are common in Sudan, saying the government will contain the health situation in the state. The official further said the diarrhoea outbreak was recorded initially in River Nile and Kassala States, but the ministry managed to control it.
The minister pointed out that the number of people who have become infected was 188, but it dropped to 36 and later to 18 cases, adding about 15 people died so far in Al-Roseires town.
Abu Garda claimed that the outbreak was being contained and that it does not require any intervention from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meanwhile, multiple medical sources from Blue Nile reported that death cases due to diarrhoea are increasing, while criticizing Abu Garda’s statement that the outbreak was contained.
A citizen in Al-Roseires area told Radio Tamazuj that they were experiencing deteriorating health conditions since the first day of Eid Al Adha. She further said more than 20 people including children died of diarrhoea in the area.
The complaining citizen added that local residents in the north of Al-Roseires area are also suffering due to shortages of clean water sources.
Previously, the Sudanese doctor’s union told Radio Tamazuj that at least 12 people died of cholera disease in Al-Roseires area in Blue Nile State.
File photo: Bahr Idris Abu Garda