Healthcare in Sudan: A Privilege for Millions

Port Sudan – The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, now nearly two years in duration, has wreaked havoc on the healthcare system. Health facilities have been attacked or looted, health personnel have been displaced, and ambulances have faced blockage or destruction.

Approximately 80% of healthcare facilities in the most affected areas have shut down, forcing many Sudanese individuals to traverse long distances, often encountering serious dangers, to access medical care.

The remaining healthcare centers are grappling with critical shortages of medical supplies and are devoid of skilled nurses and doctors.

Additionally, the inability to securely access referrals presents another significant challenge.

“I wish I could walk on my leg again, but that’s impossible now. The main reason my leg was amputated was the lack of available treatment. We have no access to medicine,” expressed Mutzamil, a resident of Khartoum receiving care at Atbara Teaching Hospital.

As the conflict erupted, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) began delivering essential medical supplies.

Since the start of last year, the ICRC has supplied 88 hospitals throughout Sudan.

These supplies have been utilized to treat over 22,000 patients wounded by weapons, yet a vast number still require medical attention.

Earlier this year, an ICRC mobile surgical team was deployed to Atbara Teaching Hospital, where they treated 150 patients suffering from war-related injuries.

Atbara is a town with approximately 100,000 residents, situated 300 km north of Khartoum, which has recently endured intense fighting.

“We had a substantial influx of displaced individuals from Khartoum and surrounding areas, as well as numerous displaced doctors and nurses,” noted Dr. Maurice Ilboudo, an ICRC surgeon working in Atbara.

The ICRC continues to emphasize the obligations of all parties under the laws of war and international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of medical facilities, vehicles, and personnel, enabling them to conduct their life-saving work.