Zalingei, July 28 (Darfur24)
A specialised health centre in Zalingei, Central Darfur State, resumed operations on Monday after being closed for more than four days following an attack by relatives of a patient who died during surgery, according to medical staff and local leaders.
A doctor at the Zalingei Specialised Health Centre told Darfur24 that relatives of Fatima Ali, a resident of the Yathrib neighbourhood, attacked the facility after she died while undergoing gland surgery on Thursday.
The doctor said the attackers used sticks and stones and pelted the building, forcing medical staff to evacuate through the emergency exit.
“The attack took place at night. Some of the centre’s property was damaged, and the security authorities did not intervene to contain the situation, which led to the closure of the centre for more than four days,” the doctor said.
A leader of the Native Administration told Darfur24 that the centre reopened on Monday following mediation by community leaders and a commitment by the security services to protect medical staff.
The leader said the Native Administration also met with the deceased’s relatives and persuaded them not to target the facility, which serves a large number of residents.
The centre provides internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatric care, and minor and major surgical services, in addition to hosting visiting specialist doctors.