Darbat, February 13 (Darfur24)
Pregnant women in Darbat and nearby communities in eastern Jebel Marra are facing growing life-threatening risks after the shutdown of the area’s only hospital, with local health sources reporting a troubling increase in childbirth-related deaths.
Residents said the Darbat Rural Hospital, which had provided basic maternal healthcare, has ceased operations, leaving pregnant women without routine follow-up or safe delivery services.
A health worker told Darfur24 that more than six recent deaths linked to childbirth have been recorded in the area. He attributed the rise to the long distances between communities, the lack of functioning health facilities, and the absence of specialized maternal care.
He added that maternal health services across eastern Jebel Marra, particularly in Darbat and surrounding villages, have sharply declined since the hospital closed.
Another health source warned that childbirth risks are increasing due to poor road conditions and a lack of transportation, which complicate emergency access to care. These obstacles heighten the likelihood of pregnancy complications and life-threatening outcomes when timely medical assistance is unavailable.
The situation unfolds amid worsening humanitarian conditions across much of Darfur, where essential services, especially healthcare, continue to deteriorate.