By: Muawad Mustafa Rashid
According to news articles, First Vice President of the Interim Sovereign Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), 1st Lt. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, has inaugurated the Rapid Support Forces COVID-19 Isolation Centre at Karrari Locality. The Centre can accommodate 200 beds with its state-of-the-art medical equipment to confront COVID-19 Pandemic.
Daglo announced their readiness to prepare additional 1000 beds in case of outbreak to be under the disposal of the Ministry of Health and to serve all the public.
He directed the RSF Medical Directorate to expedite the implementation of the spray and sterilization besides awareness campaigns for RSF staff and the public.
He affirmed that the RSF will have additional roles in delivering the foodstuff to the people in their houses and even isolated towns or areas in outbreak cases.
He pointed out to the importance of training and preparedness of the RSF to enable it conduct its mission in a professional manner to confront the pandemic.
Daglo urged the citizens to commit to the directives of the Ministry of health on prevent the outbreak of COVID-19, stressing on the necessity of avoiding some of the Sudanese social habits and norms in ceremonies or any other conduct that contradict the precaution measures advised by the concerned health authorities.
He also urged the elders to stay at home and follow special diets that help in boosting their immune systems.
Daglo hailed the efforts of the public health cadres, adding that they work amid difficult conditions and limited capabilities, describing them as (The White Army) and the first defence line in the battle against COVID-19.
He affirmed the RSF full support to the health workers, standing up to express the military salute to all the physicians and health workers for their great role in the battle against COVID-19.
Daglo called on the businessmen, charity organizations and all citizens to provide support to the vulnerable categories especially in this pressing economic conditions which affected all businesses and work.
He disclosed that the COVID-19 infected more than one million persons and killed thousands of lives around the globe.
The messages of Daglo in his address to the inaugurating ceremony deserves appreciation as it touched most of the pain points of concern. Additionally, it confirming the noble mission of the Rapid Support Forces t g which took the lead in confronting COVID-19.
It goes without saying that the military forces in any country has its great role upon emergencies
As the effects of COVID-19 are increasingly felt around our beloved Sudan, many officials and commentators have asked what role the military forces might play as part of the response.
As part of its noble mission the RSF can be used for domestic emergencies and have seen such usage throughout the years since its establishment.
For instance, RSF units have provided disaster relief during the rainy seasons including shelter, foodstuff and health care, besides the construction of tens of model villages in Darfur to assist the IDPs voluntary return process.
However, in the battle against COVID-19, two units of RSF would be most useful: medical units and base facilities for quarantine. Medical personnel would be important if the number of infections exceeded what the civilian healthcare system could handle.
The RSF have a large medical establishment. The active-duty establishment cares for active-duty personnel, their families, and retirees. It would likely be fully occupied taking care of these populations if the pandemic breaks out.
Troops, particularly the RSF, might support law enforcement with supplies, communications, and transportation.
In case of sealing off any area in greater Khartoum in particular, the RSF will be the most qualified party that could provide the food to the citizens in their houses as the RSF Commander-in-chief pledged.
The expected new 24-hour disinfection programme which might run for two week will make people leave their homes only for essential purposes and just one family member at a time will be permitted to go out. Here emerges the importance of the RSF Commander-in-Chief words about their readiness to provide food to the families in their houses.
Hats off and thumbs up to the Rapid Support Forces and its Commander-in-Chief, wishing them all the success in their noble mission.
