Minister of Health Directs Preparation of a Monthly Malaria Report
Health situation reports in Sudan have confirmed a decline in dengue fever cases across all affected states, including Khartoum, Al Jazirah, River Nile, Northern State, and Kassala. A total of 143 cases were recorded with no deaths. The reports also indicated a decrease in malaria cases.
At the same time, laboratory results for suspected cholera cases in West Kordofan confirmed 7 positive cases and 3 negative cases out of 10 samples tested.
According to the Epidemiological Situation Report for Week 23 (June 6–13), presented during the weekly meeting of the Federal Emergency Operations Center at the Federal Ministry of Health headquarters, attended by Minister of Health Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim and Undersecretary Dr. Ali Babiker, 36 suspected measles cases with no deaths were reported in Khartoum and White Nile states.
The report further indicated that Al Jazirah State recorded 5 cases of meningitis with no fatalities. In addition, 132 cases of Hepatitis E were reported in Al Jazirah and Blue Nile states without any deaths. Argeen Border Crossing also recorded four cases of heatstroke.
The response report highlighted the activation of the Cholera Technical Committee in West Kordofan and the establishment of isolation centers, alongside preparations for the transportation of medical supplies. Several interventions have been implemented, including public awareness campaigns and treatment of patients at the Foga Isolation Center. The report also outlined existing challenges and recommendations. Regarding Ebola preparedness, training activities are scheduled in Port Sudan at the end of the week, along with updates to treatment protocols.
The Environmental Health and Food Safety Report announced the delivery of two waste-transport trucks and the approval of chlorine supplies for North Kordofan and the Abyei Administrative Area. Ongoing activities in various sectors were also noted, with varying levels of implementation.
Concerning Ebola preventive measures, the Health Promotion Report confirmed the dissemination of awareness messages through social media platforms and the launch of an Integrated Nutrition Campaign yesterday in nine states, in addition to continuing activities in several other states.
The Supply Report pointed to varying levels of availability of epidemic-control medicines and consumables in state warehouses of the National Medical Supplies Fund, including malaria drugs, medical consumables, infection-control materials, and sera. Intravenous fluids were reported to be available in all states. The report also noted support from the World Health Organization to several states while acknowledging the continued need for all categories of supplies.
The Quarantine Report revealed that the cumulative number of returnees from Egypt through the Argeen and Ashkeet border crossings reached 242,663 persons. In addition, 2,428 pilgrims arrived through Port Sudan International Airport and 2,190 pilgrims through Suakin Port, all of whom underwent the required health procedures. The report also reviewed ongoing Ebola preparedness activities.
The National Public Health Laboratory Report presented the results of 68 rapid diagnostic tests for cholera and dengue fever and highlighted the need to enhance Ebola testing capacity.
The General Administration for Quality, Development, and Accreditation reported training healthcare workers at isolation centers, training 32 physicians at Port Sudan Children’s Hospital, distributing personal protective equipment (PPE), and training quarantine personnel in Khartoum and Port Sudan.
The Minister of Health directed the preparation of a monthly malaria report as part of the Prime Minister’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of enhanced follow-up and coordination among relevant departments. The report is to be submitted regularly to the Ministry’s Undersecretary.
The Minister also stressed the need to identify potential health risks in order to secure the necessary budget allocations for addressing them.