January 29, 2025 Nyala – Darfur24 Several citizens in Nyala, the Capital of South Darfur State, have complained about the decision by the local Ministry of Health to increase transaction fees at Nyala Teaching Hospital.
The increases include fees for 37 services, such as general and specialist doctor consultations, tests, minor and major surgeries, normal and cesarean deliveries. Additionally, new fees have been introduced for private wing rooms categorized as A, B, C, and for hospital admission.
Samia Al-Taher, a citizen from Nyala, told “Darfur24” that she visited the hospital on Tuesday and was surprised to find that the fee for a general doctor consultation had increased from 1,500 to 4,000 pounds at the teaching hospital.
Samia described the increase as significant and called on the hospital administration and concerned authorities to review these increases considering the conditions faced by citizens due to the war.
Abubakar Isa, another citizen, said he completed the payment for his wife’s cesarean delivery, amounting to 600,000 pounds, noting that this amount is much higher compared to before the increase.
A source in the state Ministry of Health told “Darfur24” that the increases were imposed to cover the rising costs of operating the hospital after government support stopped. The fees were included in the new year’s budget, with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) only committed to providing medicines, electricity, water, and repairing facilities damaged by the war, as well as offering financial incentives to doctors and hospital staff.
The teaching hospital resumed operations following battles between the Army and RSF, which ended with the latter’s control over the city.