September 26 — One of the worst maternal and child health emergencies in the world is unfolding in South Darfur, a report released on Wednesday by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said. Pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women, as well as children, are dying from preventable conditions as their health needs far exceed what MSF can respond to.
The number of maternal deaths in two MSF hospitals between January and August was more than seven percent of the total number of maternal deaths in all MSF facilities worldwide in 2023. Sepsis was the most common cause of maternal death.
“This is a crisis unlike any other I have seen in my career,” said Dr Gillian Burkhardt, MSF sexual and reproductive health activity manager. “Multiple health emergencies are happening simultaneously with almost no international response from the UN and others.”
In the report MSF also said that nearly a third of children under two years old examined in South Darfur in August were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, more than twice the emergency level defined by the World Health Organization. More than eight percent of these children were found to be severely malnourished.
South Darfur hosts the largest number of displaced people in Sudan, according to the International Agency for Migration. The state capital, Nyala, Sudan’s second-largest city, was once a humanitarian hub for the region, but since the outbreak of war most organizations have left.
“We know that Sudan is a challenging place to work but waiting for challenges to disappear by themselves is getting nowhere,” Dr Burkhardt said. “For many mothers and children, it’s already too late. Risks must be managed, and solutions found before more lives are lost.”