El Fasher, May 14(Darfur 24)
Dozens of pregnant women in El Fasher are facing deteriorating health conditions after the main hospitals went out of service due to the raging conflict in the city between the army and the Rapid Support Forces( RSF).
Health sources told Darfur 24 that the Rapid Support Forces’ targeting of El Fasher’s health infrastructure has caused most hospitals and primary healthcare centers to go out of service, exacerbating the suffering of pregnant women.
Hassan Mahmoud, a general practitioner in El Fasher, confirmed to Darfur 24 that pregnant women, especially those displaced ones, face dire conditions that have led to dozens of them giving birth prematurely due to complications resulting from the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
He explained that more than six hospitals, including El Fasher Teaching Hospital and the Southern Hospital, are out of service, in addition to more than 10 health centers that provided primary healthcare in the neighborhoods. These centers were completely destroyed before closing their doors to mothers.
Mahmoud added that “RSF have not ceased targeting the Saudi Specialized Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics, most recently on Monday and Tuesday, forcing some families to evacuate their loved ones from the hospital.”
In this context, Suad Ahmed, a midwife in the Abu Shouk neighborhood of Hilla, told Darfur 24 that the closure of hospitals and some primary healthcare centers is forcing pregnant women to give birth in inhumane and dangerous conditions, putting their lives at risk.
She added, “Pregnant women may face the prospect of giving birth without anesthesia, health precautions, or surgical intervention, if necessary, given the current shortage of fuel, medicines, and medical supplies in El Fasher.”
The Director General of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur State, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Khater, confirmed that all hospitals and health centers are out of service except for the Specialized Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics, which is now receiving all cases.