By Hou AKot Hou
The administration of Aweil Civil Hospital in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state says cases of malaria infections have increased from June to August, and according to the latest records, they have found 340 patients suffering from malaria infections.
Luka Lual Aleu Jok, the Aweil Civil Hospital’s health education focal point, says nearly all the patients battling these infections are pregnant mothers, children, and adults.
He blames the rise on delay of the patients in rural areas once a person catches the disease.
“The number of pregnant women having malaria infection is 344, and those suffering from anaemic conditions are 104, and we suspect that the cause of these anaemic conditions in pregnant mothers is because of nutritious delicacies being consumed by the expectant mothers,” he said.
Lual urged the residents to always visit the health facilities once a person gets sick instead of waiting for days without getting medicines at home.
“Our people like to stay in the houses, even if one is feeling unwell; this not only increases the severity of the problems but can weaken the immunity that one has, as the ability of the immune system can be overcome by the disease. So always come to the health facility, then delay yourself at home,” he cautioned.
As the state’s hospital is ill-equipped both in human and material terms, many patients do complain of being sent to the pharmaceutical services, as they don’t have money to buy the drugs for themselves, and many struggle to feed their families through difficult struggles.
Residents also cite a lack of better-paying jobs to earn money and pay for their bills at the pharmacies, as many are being turned away.
Most of these claims are being denied by the medical practitioners, though some blame them for selling drugs once the consignments are delivered.