Sudan conflict devastates medical infrastructure: ICRC
August 8, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Two out of three Sudanese civilians no longer have access to essential health services after most of the country’s hospitals and health centers were forced to close their doors, an aid agency said on Thursday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said doctors and nurses have been killed and wounded, and many health facilities have been damaged by shelling and airstrikes since the conflict broke out in mid-April last year.
Repeated attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel have severe consequences amidst the worsening food crisis, the agency said, noting that healthcare centers are crucial for preventing, detecting and treating malnutrition.
Their ability to function is vital for the most vulnerable, including pregnant and lactating mothers and children under the age of five.
“The situation in health clinics is beyond words,” said Amelie Chbat, who oversees health programs for the ICRC in Sudan, adding “The injured lack medicines, food, and water, and the elderly, women, and children are without essential treatments like dialysis or diabetes medications. And the situation is deteriorating.”
The number of reports of looting and vandalizing healthcare facilities, threats and physical violence against staff and patients, and the denial of healthcare services to civilians is reportedly increasing. In addition, it stated, fighters and civilians die because they are prevented from receiving medical attention in time.
According to the aid agency, the entire communities are cut off from vital services, such as maternity care, childcare, and vaccinations due to the conflict.
The ICRC reminded the parties to the conflict that such actions will have severe and long-lasting consequences for the entire Sudanese population and that protecting healthcare is an obligation under international humanitarian law.
It further said that medical personnel must be allowed to carry out their duties according to medical ethics in a safe and secure environment, stressing that deliberately attacking medical personnel or medical facilities constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
(ST)