The World Health Organization has issued a devastating report documenting the systematic destruction of Sudan's healthcare system, with more than 460 people killed in hospital attacks since conflict erupted in April 2023.
Healthcare Under Fire
According to WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris, the organization has verified 46 attacks on healthcare facilities across Sudan, resulting in at least 460 fatalities. These attacks represent a brutal assault on medical infrastructure and the civilians who depend on it for survival.
El Fasher: A City Under Siege
The situation in North Darfur's capital has reached catastrophic levels. Dr. Harris described El Fasher as "a city of death" where the last functioning hospital faces imminent closure due to security threats and supply shortages. The Saudi Maternity Hospital, once a lifeline for the region, now stands empty after staff were forced to evacuate under direct threat.
Broader Humanitarian Catastrophe
The hospital attacks form part of a larger pattern of violence that has displaced nearly 10 million people and left 25 million requiring urgent humanitarian assistance. The WHO report highlights:
- Complete collapse of healthcare in conflict zones
- Critical shortages of medical supplies and personnel
- Targeting of medical facilities by warring factions
- Massive displacement and growing famine risks
International Response Falling Short
Despite the scale of the crisis, international aid efforts remain severely hampered by security concerns and bureaucratic obstacles. The WHO continues to call for protected humanitarian corridors and immediate ceasefires to allow medical aid to reach those in desperate need.
The systematic nature of these hospital attacks raises serious questions about potential war crimes and the complete breakdown of international humanitarian law in Sudan's devastating conflict.
