Sudan launches five-year plan to eradicate cholera as a public health threat

April 23, 2026 (PEN) The Sudanese Federal Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation, Finance and Economic Planning and the World Health Organization, announced the launch of the National Strategic Plan to Combat Cholera for the period 2026–2030, with the aim of eliminating the disease as a threat to public health.

A joint statement indicated that the plan was officially adopted by the Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, following extensive consultations with stakeholders and partners, noting that it adopts a multi-sectoral approach to prevention and control, focusing on 52 priority areas identified in collaboration with the Global Cholera Taskforce.

The plan aims to reduce the cholera incidence rate to less than 42 cases per 100,000 people, and reduce deaths by 90% by 2030.

Sudan had experienced two cholera outbreaks in the past three years, the last of which was in July 2024 and spread to all 18 states, infecting 124,418 people and causing 3,573 deaths, before it was contained in March 2026.

Simon Sentamu, the WHO's deputy cholera incident manager in Sudan, said that launching the plan represents an important step to enhance preparedness and response to future outbreaks, stressing the organization's commitment to providing technical and operational support.

Global estimates indicate that between 1.3 and 4 million cases of cholera are recorded annually, with between 21,000 and 143,000 deaths.

In this context, experts emphasize that eradicating the disease is possible by ensuring the provision of clean water and sanitation services and promoting hygiene practices.

The World Health Organization is preparing for the rainy season by pre-stocking supplies in high-risk areas, in anticipation of outbreaks of waterborne diseases resulting from flooding and contamination of water sources.