Khartoum: Federal Minister of Health Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim met on Sunday with Oriole Global Health/The END Fund Country Director Dr. Attia Abdalla Attia to discuss efforts to eradicate visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as Kala-Azar, in Sudan. The meeting focused on strategizing control campaigns and ensuring the availability of necessary medicines, particularly in the most affected regions like Al-Gadharef, North Darfur, and Sennar, alongside plans to expand preventive spraying operations.
According to Sudan News Agency, the minister lauded the support from Oriole Global Health and other partners, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced coordination, governance, monitoring, and interventions to tackle the disease effectively. Dr. Attia Abdalla Attia noted that the organization is active in 10 states through 48 hospitals, underscoring the requirement for targeted strategies and staff training to address Kala-Azar challenges. He assured the ministry of the organization's unwavering commitment to aiding efforts until the disease is fully eradicated and Sudan achieves a Kala-Azar-free status.
Further details from the meeting revealed that funding for Kala-Azar control is already secured, with medicines having arrived in Sudan. Additionally, coordination is ongoing to address schistosomiasis in several states. The organization extends its support to combat other neglected tropical diseases, aligning its initiatives with the World Health Organization's strategy.