MSF suspends surgery in Khartoum hospital as Sudanese authorities blocks supplies

October 18, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has suspended life-saving surgery at Bashair Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, after Sudanese military authorities blocked transport of surgical supplies from Wad Madani for over a month.

“It is devastating to have to stop supporting life-saving surgical care at Bashair Hospital,” said Shazeer Majeed, MSF Surgical Referent. “The needs are huge. Blocking the medication and materials needed to perform surgery deprives people of the healthcare they so desperately need.”

Since mid-May, MSF surgical teams have performed nearly 5,000 emergency interventions and 3,000 surgical procedures, including trauma surgery and c-sections. Thousands of lives have been saved. Without new supplies, these activities cannot continue.

“Despite engagements with the health authorities, supplies remain blocked and stocks are now depleted,” said Michiel Hofman, MSF operations coordinator. “We have no choice but to suspend surgical activities at Bashair Teaching Hospital and temporarily withdraw our surgical team.”

Another MSF-supported hospital in south Khartoum, Turkish Hospital, will likely run out of supplies within two weeks. MSF continues to discuss with authorities to get these supply blockages removed. MSF is ready to resume its surgical activities when supply lines are restored.

On October 12, MSF called on the Sudanese authorities to remove administrative obstacles to medical and humanitarian teams and supplies, and to allow people to obtain aid without obstacles.

(ST)