Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-04-05 10:33:22
April 4, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that out of Sudan’s 161 stabilization centres, only 103 in 17 states are fully operational and able to provide critical treatment to children with severe acute malnutrition and medical complications. Additionally, 18 centres in 5 states are partially functional, while 40 centres have been forced to close their doors entirely.
Following nearly a year of conflict in Sudan, it is estimated that close to 25 million people in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 18 million facing acute hunger, including 5 million at emergency levels. Alarmingly, around 3.5 million children under the age of 5, representing every seventh child in Sudan, are suffering from acute malnutrition, with over 710,000 of them experiencing severe acute malnutrition (SAM). More than 106,000 children with SAM and medical complications require inpatient care at stabilization centres, and if conditions do not improve, it is projected that 200,000 children in Darfur alone will face life-threatening hunger in 2024.
In response to this crisis, WHO is actively supporting 121 state-run stabilization centres in Sudan, providing medical supplies, technical assistance, and covering operating costs for 11 of these facilities. In 2023, WHO also funded the operating expenses of 42 stabilization centres in the country. Technical officers from WHO are involved in training centre staff, offering continuous support, and supervising operations. Additionally, volunteer health and nutrition cadres are being trained to identify and treat malnourished children in host communities and displaced people camps.
Since April 2023, WHO has trained 1,942 nutrition cadres, with a focus on the management of SAM inpatients, infant and young child feeding counselling, nutrition in emergencies, reporting to surveillance systems, and child growth monitoring. Over 2,300 SAM kits have been distributed to assist in treating more than 28,000 children with SAM and medical complications.
Dr Mohammad Dauod Altaf, WHO Sudan Health Emergency Lead, emphasized the critical role of stabilization centres in saving the lives of over 100,000 severely malnourished children with medical complications. He highlighted the dedication of WHO staff working on the ground to support these centres and ensure their continued operation.
In addition to the immediate health risks posed by malnutrition, malnourished individuals are more vulnerable to serious illnesses that can lead to complications or death. Malnutrition weakens the body’s defences, making individuals more susceptible to diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and measles, particularly in environments with limited access to healthcare services.
WHO expressed gratitude for the financial support provided by the Italian Development Cooperation, Japan, and the United States Agency for International Development, which has enabled the organization to sustain the life-saving activities of stabilization centres since the onset of the conflict.
In conclusion, the situation in Sudan underscores the urgent need for continued support and resources to address the widespread malnutrition crisis and ensure the well-being of vulnerable children and communities in the country.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
