On 11 December 2016, UNAMID's Pakistani peacekeepers reached out to internally displaced persons, refugees from South Sudan and prison inmates through free medical camps in El Daein, East Darfur.

More than 1,255 cases were treated at both the Khor Omer camp and the El Daein Central Prison, said Captain Ameer Aslam of the Mission's Clinic.

“We are aware that access to health services in the Khor Omer camp and the El Daein Central Prison is very limited. That is why we decided to come over and render a helping hand in addressing some of the medical needs of the people,” Captain Aslam stated.

At the Khor Omer camp, hundreds of IDPs and refugees were treated for different ailments including skin diseases, body aches, diarrhoea, coughs, chest pains and malaria.

Abdalla Hamad, representative, Popular Committee, Khor Omer camp, who complained of severe chest pain, thanked UNAMID for organizing the free medical camp and urged the Mission to continue with this kind of service. “I can already feel some relief after the first dose of the medicine given to me by the UNAMID doctors,” said Mr. Hamad.

Amna Hamoda, 34 years, claimed she has been suffering from an eye condition for the past few years, and despite seeing various doctors did not receive relief. “I see the coming of UNAMID doctors as a move in the right direction and I am sure I will get relief from this persistent eye problem,” said Ms. Hamoda.

A similar free medical camp was also held at the El Daein Central Prison by doctors from the Mission's hospital in Nyala, South Darfur, and El Daein.

Captain Aslam noted that the Mission’s clinic in El Daein is open to the community and receives between 5 - 10 patients every day.

“I believe that such medical camps, if repeated, will assist the displaced in the future, especially those in Khor Omer Camp, since most of us cannot afford to purchase medicines,” said Abda Musa, women's representative, Khor Omer camp.

The Mission's peacekeepers plan to host more such medical camps benefiting the local communities across Darfur.