Sudan is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, with escalating violence and attacks on healthcare facilities. The situation has prompted Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend its medical activities at Bashair Teaching Hospital in south Khartoum, citing persistent threats to patients and staff.
The decision to halt operations at the hospital, which is one of the last functioning healthcare facilities in the area, comes after months of violent incidents involving armed fighters entering the hospital, wielding weapons, and intimidating medical staff.
According to Claire San Filippo, MSF’s Emergency Coordinator, “The suffering we witness in Khartoum is enormous. Intense and extreme violence continues daily, with shortages and blockages of food, supplies, and humanitarian aid leaving people scrambling to survive”.
In the face of escalating violence, MSF has continued to work tirelessly, providing essential medical care despite extremely challenging conditions “It’s an enormous emergency”. Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim, an MSF medical team leader, echoing the sentiment, “It’s always the most vulnerable people who are impacted negatively by conflict”. “It’s an enormous emergency”. Since late September, Bashair Hospital has seen a surge in cases of violent trauma injuries due to increased fighting in the region.
The suspension of MSF’s medical activities at Bashair Teaching Hospital has significant implications, as the facility is one of the last remaining options for those seeking free medical care in the area. While MSF continues to operate in 11 states in Sudan, including Omdurman in Khartoum, the organization hopes to resume its work at Bashair Hospital once conditions improve.
In a separate incident, MSF has condemned a “despicable” attack on one of its ambulances in El Fasher, North Darfur. The ambulance, clearly marked with the MSF logo and flag, was transporting a woman in labor and medical staff to the Saudi Hospital when it was shot at by an unknown gunman. Unfortunately, one of the caretakers was fatally injured in the attack.
Michel Olivier Lacharité, MSF’s Head of Emergency Operations, expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the need for armed actors to respect the safety of patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities. This is the second such incident in less than a month in El Fasher, highlighting the dire security situation in the region.