WHO warns against high risk of a biological hazard in Khartoum
April 25n 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that there is a high risk of a biological hazard in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.
The warning follows the seizure of the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Khartoum which contained dangerous pathogens such as measles and cholera by one of the warring parties.
In a video briefing to reporters in Geneva, the WHO’s representative in Sudan, Nima Saeed Abid, stated that technicians were unable to enter the NPHL to secure the hazardous materials, which is a major concern.
They “kicked out all the technicians from the lab… which is completely under the control of one of the fighting parties as a military base,” he said.
However, Abid declined to specify which side seized the laboratory.
The fighting between Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which began on April 15, has led to at least 459 fatalities and 4,072 injuries according to the latest WHO figures.
However, Abid believes this is an undercount, as he personally witnessed two bodies on the street in recent days.
The conflict has also paralyzed hospitals and other essential services, leaving people stranded in their homes with limited food and water supplies.
The WHO reported 14 attacks on health facilities since the clashes began, prompting the organization to relocate its staff to safety.
(ST)