Sudan’s health minister says lack of funds hampers epidemic control

October 15, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Federal Minister of Health, Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, said on Wednesday that a lack of funding and disruptions in supplies are severely limiting the country’s ability to control disease outbreaks.

The warning comes as Sudan’s health system, crippled by the ongoing conflict, battles several epidemics, including cholera and dengue fever, in addition to treating war casualties. Approximately 70% of the nation’s medical facilities are non-operational.

“Weak funding and interrupted supplies limit the Ministry of Health’s ability to control epidemics and provide essential services,” Ibrahim stated in remarks delivered to the World Health Organization (WHO).

He described the situation as a severe health and humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the largest displacement wave in Sudan’s history. The ministry is working to build a “resilient and equitable health system” over the next year despite service disruptions and staff shortages.

To address the funding gap, the ministry plans to seek non-traditional financing, support civil society, and strengthen partnerships with Sudanese communities abroad, Ibrahim added.

The Health Ministry’s emergency operations centre announced a separate outbreak of hepatitis, with 138 cases and one death recorded in Gezira state between October 4 and 10.

While the centre noted a decrease in cholera and dengue fever rates following urgent interventions, it revealed a significant number of other infections. A total of 3,473 new dengue cases, including 29 deaths, were registered across eight states. Cholera cases reached 611 across 15 states, and 50,000 cases of malaria have been confirmed nationwide.

Ibrahim called for investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene projects and urged flexible, long-term funding to support campaigns against dengue, malaria, and cholera.