The medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expressed concerns over the significant rise in cases of malaria in South Sudan’s Unity state over the past month.
- A Belgian nurse examines a baby during an MSF mobile clinic in Dorain, Jonglei (MSF courtesy photo)
The agency, in a statement, said it treated over 2,000 cases of the disease in July alone and admitted over 150 people with severe Malaria to its facility.
“In an attempt to reduce this and limit the complications of severe malaria, we’ve started supporting three emergency clinics in the camp for children under five years old that provide swift access to diagnostics and treatment,” said MSF in a statement on Monday.
The extra influx of people has reportedly increased pressure on existing resources, including at an MSF-run hospital, which is nearing full capacity.
“The current situation is precarious, with new arrivals coming every day to the UN Protection of Civilians camp in Bentiu in search of shelter and protection,” stressed the agency.
Since April, the upsurge of fighting in Unity state has forced many from their homes and an estimated 110,000 said to have been displaced. This, MSF revealed, is more than double the number of people forced in to civilian of protection camps in the region.
MALNUTRITION CASES RISE
According to the international medical charity, severe malnutrition among children was worrying. In July alone, MSF’s hospital reportedly admitted more than 100 young children suffering from severe malnutrition with complications for intensive therapeutic treatment.
“Unfortunately many children arrived too late at the hospital with advanced symptoms resulting in a very high mortality,” it observed.
Meanwhile, MSF urged all healthcare providers, water and sanitation actors, and donors to intensify their efforts within Bentiu camp as soon as possible in the hope of stemming further disease transmission and alleviating the suffering of the displaced living in camps.
