Sudan reels from drug shortages as virus spreads
by Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali
As it battles mounting cases of coronavirus, Sudan is grappling with acute medicine shortages at a time of economic woes largely blamed on the policies of ousted president Omar al-Bashir.
Healthcare providers have reported shortages of basic medications in pharmacies and hospitals, while patients suffering from critical diseases struggle to find drugs.
“I’ve been looking for my medicine for three days, and I still can’t find it,” Abdul Aziz Adam, who has asthma, told AFP outside a Khartoum pharmacy.
Adam, a resident of the capital’s twin city, Omdurman, toured pharmacies in both only to hear the same response: “That drug is currently unavailable.”
The shortages come as Sudan fights to control the spread of COVID-19, which has claimed 548 lives out of almost 9,000 confirmed cases.
“The medicine crisis is evident in Sudan. Basic medications have disappeared from pharmacies,” said Abdulaziz Othman, a pharmacy owner.
“Our remaining stock is running low with each passing day.” (AFP)
