16 hospitals in Khartoum out of service as some bombed

April 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Doctors Syndicate Steering Committee in Sudan on Monday reported that 16 hospitals in Khartoum and other cities across the country are out of service, some of which have been bombed.

The head of the committee, Heba Omer, told Sudan Tribune that Al-Shaab, Ibn Sina, Bashaer, and Bahri hospitals were among those bombed, while the Turkish hospital was attacked.

Several hospitals were evacuated, including Al-Shaab, Ibn Sina, Bashaer, Al-Turki, Al-Zaytouna, Imperial, Al-Shorta, Bahri, and Dr Salma Center for Kidney Diseases, and others, such as Fadil, Al-Barahah, and Haj Al-Safi, were out of service.

The clashes, which began on Saturday between the army and Rapid Support Forces, have resulted in the deaths of 180 people and injuries to 1,800 others.

Khartoum residents are struggling to provide aid to those injured during the indiscriminate firing of bullets and shells. The situation also makes it difficult to bury the dead, which could lead to an environmental disaster.

The hospitals are facing severe shortages of medical staff, anesthesiologists, and supplies, including water, food, and fuel for generators.

The Royal Care Hospital may close due to the shortage of resources, and the Ibrahim Malik Hospital is affected by the interruption of generator fuel, while Al-Faisal Hospital faces a water shortage.

The steering committee warned that the hospitals’ deterioration is unprecedented and could lead to the collapse of the entire health sector.

Large and specialized hospitals have been forced to close due to bombing or evacuation by conflicting military forces.

The Karima Teaching Hospital in northern Sudan has exceeded its capacity and is experiencing an acute shortage of medical personnel and supplies, including water, food, and medicine.

Also, El-Geneina Hospital, El-Daman Hospital, Merowe Military Hospital, and Al-Daman Specialist Hospital have also been evacuated or closed.

(ST)