May 11, 2023 — Laura Kyrke-Smith, UK Executive Director, International Rescue Committee (IRC), today made the following statement alongside Dr Latifa Patel, BMA representative body chair, Dr Husam El-Mugamar, founder of Sudan's Doctors For Human Rights and Dr Sohier Elneil, Member of SDFHR.
Amidst ongoing violence in Sudan, the IRC, British Medical Association and Sudan’s Doctors for Human Rights are warning of dire impacts of fighting on the country’s already fragile health system.
The closure of health facilities - over 125 hospitals across the country - combined with an acute shortage of medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity, have obstructed healthcare delivery and left the country’s health sector at high risk of complete collapse. Healthcare personnel are targeted by fighting, leaving those in need of urgent medical care unable to access lifesaving services and treatment.
Over 60% of health facilities in Khartoum have been forced to close as a result of the direct impact of fighting, a lack of medical staff and a shortage of drugs and critical medical supplies such as oxygen. Only 16% of the city’s health facilities are operating as usual.
Attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, whether deliberate or indiscriminate, must be condemned in the strongest possible fashion.
We are calling upon all Sudanese stakeholders and the international community to work without delay to ensure the re-opening of hospitals across Sudan, and for health services to resume.