14 South Sudanese Children Die of Malaria and Malnutrition in August

The United Nations had recently warned that 250,000 South Sudanese children are facing starvation due to the conflict that has been raging across the country since 2013. Medical sources have revealed that at least 14 children died of malaria and malnutrition in August, 2015, alone in South Sudan, where the ongoing civil war is further exacerbating the poor medical conditions and inadequate public awareness of diseases. The UN said, "One in three children is acutely malnourished in half of the country, two thirds of the country's 12 million people are in dire need of aid and 4.5 million are facing severe food vulnerability."

James Angelo, a doctor in charge of children's wards at Wau hospital, said, "Wau hospital received 439 cases of children suffering from malaria and malnutrition during August, 2015. Fourteen children died in August, while the children's wards are still crowded due to spread of malaria and malnutrition."

Angelo attributed the deaths to delay in hospitalization and lack of blood transfusion. He also called for higher levels of citizens' awareness of the risks of disease, and urged them to bring in patients to hospital for early treatment.

Source-IANS