In brief
Chad’s government has stepped in to confront a dengue epidemic in its capital with a comprehensive health campaign offering free consultations, tests, and treatments, expanding hospital capacity, and conducting fumigation and water‑removal operations. The Ministry of Health reports 353 confirmed cases and 14 deaths in N’Djamena. Despite these efforts, questions remain about the campaign’s long‑term impact and its ability to curb the outbreak.
On 3 November 2026, officials in Chad announced the launch of a sweeping health campaign to stop a dengue epidemic that has already claimed 14 lives in the capital of N’dejamena, according to Prensa Latina.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that 353 dengue cases have been registered in the city, with mortality tightly linked to the disease.
Hospitals throughout N’Djamena are adding extra beds because the influx of patients with dengue symptoms has outstripped existing capacity, the report added.
Prime Minister Allah‑Maye Halina announced a government directive that all consultations, laboratory tests and treatments at public health centres would be free of charge, a move that aims to remove cost barriers for patients and accelerate case detection.
In parallel, the directive calls for neighborhood cleanup operations: fumigation, removal of stagnant water and destruction of potential mosquito breeding sites. The initiative seeks to interrupt the transmission cycle of the dengue‑carrying vector.
“What we are doing is a comprehensive response that includes prevention, detection and treatment at no cost,” a government spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office said. The campaign combines free medical services, sanitation drives and the establishment of dedicated medical stations across the city.