Port Sudan, January 12 (Darfur24)
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday it has verified 201 attacks on health care facilities in Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, resulting in 1,858 deaths and 490 injuries.
The organization said these attacks have severely undermined access to life-saving medical services and placed health workers, patients, and service providers at grave risk.
In a statement obtained by Darfur24, the WHO said the war has left more than 20 million people in need of health assistance, while 21 million are suffering from severe food insecurity.
It added that 33.7 million people across Sudan will require humanitarian assistance this year, following nearly three years of continuous violence, severe access restrictions, and declining funding.
The organization noted that the health system has been devastated by ongoing fighting, repeated attacks on medical facilities, mass displacement, shortages of essential medical supplies, a lack of health personnel, and insufficient funding.
“Despite efforts by the WHO and its partners to restore and revitalize health services across the country, more than a third of health facilities (37%) remain out of service, depriving millions of people of essential and life-saving care,” the statement said.
WHO Representative in Sudan, Shibl Sahbani, said the conflict has pushed the health system to the brink of collapse, leaving millions facing disease, hunger, and a lack of access to basic services.
He stated that the number of displaced people is estimated at 13.6 million, warning that deteriorating living conditions, overcrowding in displacement sites, disruption of health, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and the collapse of routine immunization programs are driving disease outbreaks.
Sahbani added that WHO is supporting responses to outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, malaria, and measles. Cholera has been reported in all 18 states, dengue fever in 14 states, and malaria in 16 states, while access to preventive and curative health services remains limited, particularly for chronic diseases and acute malnutrition.
Since the start of the conflict, the WHO has delivered 3,378 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies to 48 health partners for life-saving operations, valued at nearly $40 million.
The organization reported that more than 3.3 million people have received health care services through WHO-supported hospitals, primary health facilities, and mobile clinics, while over 112,400 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications have received treatment at emergency nutrition centers.