MSF resumes work in Zalingei hospital amid sharp rise in cholera cases
August 31, 2025 (ZALINGEI) – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced on Saturday the resumption of its activities at Zalingei Hospital in Central Darfur state, stating that the region is facing a significant increase in cholera cases.
Central, East, and South Darfur are experiencing a widespread cholera epidemic amid a severe shortage of treatment and medical supplies, due to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) obstructing the delivery of relief and medicine.
“Central Darfur continues to face a sharp increase in cholera cases, with 48 out of 55 beds occupied at Zalingei Hospital as of August 28,” the organization said in a statement.
MSF noted that it has resumed full medical services at Zalingei Hospital after suspending them following an armed attack on the facility on August 16, which resulted in one person killed and five others injured, including a Ministry of Health employee.
The organization stated it resumed its activities in the hospital after receiving written security guarantees ensuring the hospital’s neutrality, calling on all parties to adhere to the agreement to protect its teams.
MSF reported that it had continued to provide minimal life-saving care during the suspension of activities, with the hospital admitting 91 cholera patients between August 18 and 26.
In a related context, Adam Rijal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, said that the region, which is experiencing a cholera outbreak, recorded 177 new cases and seven deaths on Sunday.
He clarified that the new infections bring the total number of cases since the outbreak began to 9,326, including 389 deaths in Darfur.
Rijal mentioned that the Tawila area in North Darfur state is witnessing the highest outbreak rates, with 5,011 cases recorded, including 77 deaths.
Tawila, which is under the control of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur, is a humanitarian hub in Darfur. More than 560,000 displaced people from El Fasher and its surroundings have flocked to it since the conflict erupted, living under harsh conditions.