Some 1,883 patients were treated during a one-day medical camp organized by UNMIS' Pakistani contingent on 10 January in the town of Ganis, near Ed Damazine in Blue Nile state.

Set up at Ainqaz Girls Primary School, the clinic had 12 outpatient departments - six each for men and women - and a staff of 13 medical officers (including two women), 17 paramedics and eight interpreters.

The patients -- 801 men, 571 women and 511 children -- were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, malaria, anemia, dyspepsia, worm infestations, skin diseases and urinary tract infections. They were given free medicine of some 174 different types, donated by the Pakistani Army.

Ganis Chief Hamdan Khalifa noted that conditions in the town brought on many disease, especially those carried by water. "Slush from the rains, lack of metal roads and an improper drainage system are the main causes of many water borne diseases," he said. .

Sector Commander Colonel Anjum Irshad Khan said the medical camps helped the UN reach the local populace. "We would like to make them understand that we are here for peace, which we have to build peace through their confidence and cooperation." The Commander also distributed drinking water, children gift packs and footballs.
UNMIS' Pakistani contingent has organized 17 medical camps in needy localities of Blue Nile state since 2005.