Egypt’s medical convoy to Sudan stays on an extra week

Members of the Egyptian medical convoy dispatched to Sudan on 10 September 2020 to offer much-needed medical and health services to victims of flash floods have already seen 12,654 Sudanese patients. The figure was announced by Egypt’s Health Minister Hala Zayed, who explained that the convoy was dispatched to Sudan upon directives by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

Dr Zayed said the medical convoy would extend its work in Sudan for an extra week, as requested by the Sudanese health authorities, until 26 September. The first day during the extension week saw 1,384 patients visit clinics where Egyptian medical teams operate, said Khaled Megahed, spokesperson of the Health Ministry.

Mr Megahed said that the convoy is divided into several teams that have set up clinics in Sudanese hospitals close to the areas hard hit by the floods. Four Egyptian ophthalmologists recently joined the convoy since there is a scarcity in eye doctors serving the flood victims.

In addition to 20 doctors of various specialisations, nursing staff and technicians that the Egyptian convoy includes, five agriculturalists from the Health Ministry’s preventive medicine unit are among its ranks, armed with sprayers and mist devices which are being used in coordination with the Sudanese to cover areas where disease is likely to fester. He said the Egyptians have sprayed 25 areas to protect against Malaria and mosquito borne diseases.

Last August, an air lift was created by Cairo to Khartoum to carry relief supplies to Sudan in the wake of the devastating floods. The air lift is ongoing; five military planes have carried, among other supplies, more than 22 tons of baby formula, as well as basic and emergency medications, besides 25 tons of relief medication and supplies for victims of the flash floods.

Earlier this month, Egypt’s Health Minister had accompanied the medical convoy to Sudan. Once there, she visited a refugee camp for flood survivors, and met her Sudanese counterpart Usama Abdel-Rahim. The Egyptian Minister confirmed that Egypt would continue to staunchly support Sudan during this time of hardship, would also stand by it in its efforts to implement medical reform policies, and would exchange experience in all medical fields. Dr Abdel-Rahim lauded Egypt’s stance, saying this was not new to the country which sent aid to China and Italy during their battle against COVID-19, and airlifted aid to Lebanon after the Beirut port blast.