Médecins Sans Frontières - WEBCLIP - Kala azar, Gedaref, Sudan

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF322736

Date taken / Date Recorded 05/11/2018 12:00 AM

Country Sudan

Commissioning section MSF-SWITZERLAND

Photographer / videographer / producer Halla Osman

Copyright Halla Osman/MSF

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Editor's rating ★★★★★ (C)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 3m7s

Maximum Size 1920px × 1080px 439.80 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist Gedaref state is hardest hit by kala azar in Sudan.

This tropical disease is one of the largest parasitic killers worldwide, and it affects hundreds of thousands yearly.

If untreated, kala azar is almost 100% fatal.

The disease is endemic in Gedaref, where the vegetation and topography favour the sand-flies that transmit it.

It especially affects people that are already weakened from other diseases, further depleting their immune system and making them more vulnerable for other serious infections.

The poorest and marginalised are most affected, but diagnostics and treatment are complicated and expensive.

Mohamed Adam Ahmed Ibrahim:

This is our little girl her name is Madina Mohamed Adam. She was ill and we took her to the hospital. After examining doctors told us she had Kala Azar and she was admitted in the hospital. The doctors treated us well and medicine was available. Our daughter was suffering severe dehydration, they made her blood transfusion here. Her health was improving, and after 12 days, our daughter’s condition was good, she walks, eats and drinks. She is in good health. The hospital people treated us well.

Kala azar patients must be hospitalised, which requires hospital and laboratory infrastructure and trained staff.

Over ten years, MSF in partnership with Tabarak Allah hospital and the ministry of health
Established a thriving treatment centre with 100 beds.
Reduced treatment from 30 to 17 days
Reduced prevalence of the disease
Improved access and quality of treatment
Built capacity of Sudanese health care staff
Raised awareness on prevention and treatment

The cure rate today stands at almost 100% and almost 7,000 patients were treated.

MSF gradually handed over to the ministry of health kala azar medical activities.

But there is still a long way to go to control this deadly disease.

Simple and rapid diagnostics and oral medicines would improve safety and reduce risk of drug resistance.

Diagnosing kala azar remains difficult and treatment complex and painful.

The best strategy is to “test & treat”
Treatment reduces transmission – reducing the burden

WEBCLIP - Kala azar, Gedaref, Sudan - ENGLISH

WEBCLIP - Kala azar, Gedaref, Sudan - ENGLISH