Sudan’s ongoing war has turned healthcare facilities into battlegrounds, with medical workers like Dr. Mohamed Moussa facing severe risks as they provide care amidst gunfire and shelling. The conflict has led to significant fatalities, displacement, and a collapse of the healthcare system, with nearly 90 percent of facilities in conflict areas shut down. As malnutrition rates soar alongside war casualties, the situation represents an urgent humanitarian crisis that demands immediate intervention.
In the midst of an ongoing conflict, Sudanese medical professionals, particularly Dr. Mohamed Moussa, are facing unprecedented challenges as they provide care under dire conditions. The hospital where Dr. Moussa works, Al-Nao, continues to operate amid incessant gunfire and shelling, which have become a grim backdrop to their daily routines. “The bombing has numbed us,” he stated, highlighting the emotional toll on medical staff as they strive to care for the influx of war-related injuries, including severe gunshot wounds, burns, and mutilations, even in children as young as four months.
The war, which erupted in April 2023 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe; tens of thousands have perished and millions have been displaced. The violence has transformed healthcare facilities into battle zones, thereby putting healthcare providers, such as Dr. Moussa, directly in harm’s way. According to reports, nearly half of the 87 hospitals in Khartoum state have sustained damage, resulting in a significant decline in access to medical care for the populace.
With almost 90 percent of medical facilities in conflict zones shuttered, the situation is dire, leaving millions without critical care. Attacks on healthcare staff and infrastructure have escalated, with the national doctors’ union reporting the deaths of 78 health workers from gunfire and shelling. Both warring factions have been implicated in these assaults, reflecting a severe breakdown in civilian protection during this ongoing conflict. Humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have characterized the current state of healthcare as an urgent crisis requiring immediate intervention and support.
Furthermore, the conflict has exacerbated widespread hunger, as hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished children. As the country languishes on the brink of famine, the medical community is scrambling to address both injury and nutrition crises, revealing the extent of the humanitarian emergency in Sudan.
Within this tumultuous landscape, Dr. Moussa and his colleagues demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication to their patients despite insurmountable challenges. “But we can’t stop. We owe it to the people who depend on us,” he affirmed, emphasizing the critical role of medical professionals amid a collapsing healthcare system.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan represents a significant humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a power struggle between rival military leaders. Since April 2023, fighting between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has resulted in widespread violence impacting civilian life and healthcare availability. Hospitals and medical personnel are increasingly targeted, further destabilizing an already fragile healthcare system that was impaired prior to the conflict. As the war persists, the humanitarian toll continues to escalate, challenging the resilience of medical teams throughout the country.
The war in Sudan has precipitated a catastrophic impact on healthcare, with medical professionals risking their lives to care for the injured amidst chaos. As hospitals become battlegrounds and essential services collapse, the dedication of healthcare workers like Dr. Moussa remains crucial. Without immediate humanitarian support, the situation is poised to deteriorate further, exacerbating an already significant humanitarian crisis. The resilience of Sudan’s medical community in the face of such adversities provides a stark reminder of their essential role in safeguarding public health during tumultuous times.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
