Healthcare crisis grips Sudan’s Al Jazirah state amid shortages, insecurity

March 5, 2025  (WAD MADANI) – Hospitals in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state are grappling with a severe shortage of medical personnel. Power outages and a lack of clean water are exacerbating the humanitarian and health crisis in the state.

Despite the army regaining control of the state in January after a year of occupation by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), conditions have not significantly improved.

The Secretary-General of the Gezira Conference, Al-Mubarak Mahmoud, disclosed to Sudan Tribune that hospitals in Wad Madani face a critical shortage of medical staff, reaching approximately 90%. He explained that clinics remain closed amid increasing security challenges due to a lack of police personnel.

Mahmoud pointed out that the Ministry of Interior has yet to assert its full control over the state, leading to security problems in the recent past. He added that most areas of the state suffer from power outages, except for Al-Managil locality and some areas served by the dedicated “hotline” network used to power hospitals and government institutions.

He also confirmed the presence of six besieged areas in the far north of the state: “Al-Jadeed, Habiba, Al-Bantio, Al-Baqir, Al-Sumairat, and Petri,” which remain outside the army’s control and are considered the last pockets of RSF presence in Al Jazirah.

Mahmoud described the situation in these areas as catastrophic, with citizens suffering from violence, theft, and looting, in addition to a severe shortage of food and basic necessities.