Sudan Health Ministry Flags HIV, Hepatitis And Cholera Pressures Amid War Damage

Khartoum, August 19, 2026 - Sudan's Health Ministry recorded 13,401 HIV cases and tens of thousands of hepatitis infections, underscoring the scale of public health stress after more than three years of war damaged hospitals, surveillance systems and basic services.

The ministry's Communicable Diseases Department presented the figures at a weekly emergency operations meeting in Khartoum. Officials said surveillance data through 2026 showed 13,401 HIV cases, while records through 2025 included about 32,000 hepatitis B cases and 23,000 hepatitis C cases.

Health authorities also cited localized hepatitis E outbreaks in Blue Nile state, ongoing cholera infections in West Kordofan and North Kordofan, and continued dengue transmission in Blue Nile and South Kordofan despite a national decline in case rates. Malaria remained steady in most regions, while Red Sea state continued treating heatstroke cases.

The federal health ministry said specialized medical teams were preparing to deploy to Al Jazirah and Sennar to investigate a reported rise in appendicitis cases. Authorities and rapid response units are also coordinating with UNICEF on missions across seven states after seasonal rains from August 11 to 17 damaged infrastructure in four states and eight localities.

The widening disease burden adds pressure to Sudan's already weakened state capacity and raises risks for humanitarian logistics, workforce availability and any future reconstruction of the health system.