Food or medicine? The impossible choices facing Sudan’s chronically ill
Summary
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has made it very hard for people with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension to get the medicine they need. Many have fled fighting areas and face rising costs for treatment, forcing them to choose between buying medicine and basic needs like food.Key Facts
- Sudan's civil war started in April 2023 between the military and the Rapid Support Forces.
- Hasanat al-Rashid, a 48-year-old diabetic, has had to move multiple times to find medical care.
- She now relies on daily insulin but struggles to afford refrigeration to store it properly.
- Insulin pens cost more upfront, so she buys cheaper vials but spends extra on ice to keep them cool.
- The war has caused Sudan’s income levels to drop to those seen in the 1990s, making medicine unaffordable for many.
- Fatima Adam, 75, with hypertension and thyroid problems, lost access to subsidized medicines after the war and now her family pays full prices.
- Her son, with unstable work, struggles to support the family’s medical needs.
- The collapse of Sudan’s economy has worsened access to healthcare and medicine for chronically ill patients.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
