High mortality rate linked to environmental pollution in Sudan: ministry

January 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Ministry of Health warned that figures show high mortality rates resulting from the deterioration of the of the environment.

The ministry acknowledged that Sudan has become among the leading nations that suffer from environmental degradation and air pollution along with huge problems in drinking water.

The director of the Department of Environmental Health at the ministry Salah al-Deen al-Mubarak noted that the ministry has proclaimed 2014 to be the year of environmental health in Sudan.

Al-Mubarak highlighted during a meeting on Wednesday the existence of serious issues facing the country on soil pollution, occupational safety, environmental compliance, food survey and water safety .

He predicted that competition arising from growth of businesses would compel decision makers to prioritize the state of the environment in the country and expand the proportion of water coverage and enforce health regulations in places selling food and drinks .

The health official stressed the importance of building an effective system to monitor the rates of food and water contamination and pass decisive laws and legislation to address environmental issues and train environment cadres across all states in Sudan.

For his part, Director of the Disease Vectors at the National Program of for Combating Malaria Hamouda Kabouk said the country is in need of a system to investigate the epidemiology that prevents the spread of insect-borne diseases which represent 50% of diseases in the country.

(ST)