The World Health Organization and UNFPA have warned that ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan are depriving women and girls of life-saving healthcare, with pregnant women being the hardest hit.
Around 67% of hospitals in affected areas are closed, and several maternity hospitals are out of action, including Omdurman Hospital.
The fighting has resulted in 46 attacks on health workers and facilities, resulting in the deaths of eight people and 18 others.
The National Medical Supply Funds (NMSF) warehouses in Khartoum, where WHO’s stock of emergency medical supplies and development products is stored, are also inaccessible.
UNFPA’s stocks of medicines and equipment for obstetric care, post-rape treatment, and contraceptives are also inaccessible. Health facilities in several states, including the Darfurs, have warned of critical shortages of medical supplies.
Habitual attacks have killed eight people and injured 18 others, and facilities and health assets have also been looted.
Armed forces have been using health facilities, and UNFPA’s stock of emergency medical supplies and development products is also inaccessible.
In May, UNFPA and its local partner, the CAFA Development Organization, provided fuel for seven maternity hospitals in Khartoum to ensure health services were available for women and newborns.
More support is needed to secure fuel and supplies for key hospitals to sustain essential services.
The WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, and paediatric care, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, and training health workers on first-line support and mental health care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
