A group of doctors has launched a free mobile clinic in Port Sudan to deliver essential medical care to approximately 5,000 individuals displaced by ongoing conflict. Supported by various charities, the initiative involves around 50 medical professionals and volunteers who conduct “health days” at numerous shelters and operate a mobile medical laboratory.
The United Nations reports that over seven million Sudanese have been displaced due to the fighting between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Many displaced people are living in shelters with inadequate conditions, poor sanitation, and limited medical supplies.
Doctor Enas Othman, one of the key figures in the project, explains that the mobile clinic is vital for providing medical services directly at the shelters. “We spend the entire day conducting thorough medical examinations and offering medication and treatment,” she says.
Sudanese shelters often struggle with funding and lack professional resources, leading to overcrowding and heightened vulnerability to infectious diseases. The mobile clinic addresses these gaps by bringing medical care, including medication for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, to those in need.
About half of those in the shelters are children, and most of them have health issues says father, Yasser Moatasem, who lives in a displaced shelter. “Some have infections, some have illnesses, some have abnormal findings in urine or blood tests, and some have eye problems. Everyone receives assistance from the mobile clinic. Many adults with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension also receive medication from the mobile clinic,” he said.
In addition to medical care, the clinic provides cultural and recreational activities for children, such as games, music sessions, and drawing activities. “We organise games, music sessions, and drawing activities. During treatments for sick children, we also use music and drawing as supportive tools,” says Nihal Abdel Aziz Muhammad, a volunteer with the mobile clinic.
Despite the mobile clinic’s significant impact over the past six months, it faces ongoing challenges, including limited funds and a shortage of medical supplies. With the rainy season approaching, which exacerbates the risk of disease outbreaks, the team is working to secure necessary medications and hopes for an end to the conflict to allow displaced individuals to return home.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
