Malnutrition, cholera reported in Um Badda of Khartoum state

August 30, 2024 (OMDURMAN) – At least 80 cases of malnutrition, including two deaths of young children, have been reported in the Um Badda locality west of Omdurman in Khartoum state, an emergency room activist said on Wednesday.

The activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said there were 30 suspected cases of cholera, four of which had been confirmed by laboratory tests, and 60 cases of conjunctivitis linked to poor sanitation and waste accumulation.

Most of the cholera cases were among pregnant women, the official added.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Khartoum state told Sudan Tribune last Wednesday that the ministry had formed home investigation teams to detect malnutrition cases resulting from misconceptions and reliance on a single type of food.

The emergency rooms are formed by volunteers from different sectors including, health workers and activists at the neighbourhood level.

The Sudanese army has successfully reclaimed significant portions of western Omdurman, though the Rapid Support Forces maintain control in isolated areas of Um Badda.

The Ministry of Health in Khartoum state recently announced a major environmental sanitation and disease control campaign to address the impact of the conflict in the state.