Attacks on Health Facilities, Workers in Sudan Severely Diminishes Healthcare

The World Health Organization reported today that continuing attacks on healthcare facilities, equipment, and workers in Sudan are depriving women of life-saving healthcare.

Since April, when the fighting began, WHO has verified 46 attacks on health workers and facilities, which have killed eight people and injured 18 others.

Roughly 67% of the hospitals in areas affected by the conflict are closed, and several maternity hospitals are out of action. Among the 11 million people in Sudan who need urgent health assistance, 2.64 million are women and girls of reproductive age. There are an estimated 262,880 women and girls who are pregnant, with over 90,000 of them expected to give birth in the next three months.

“The conflict must stop, health facilities, health workers, and patients must be protected, humanitarian and medical aid must be allowed through,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “People who need urgent healthcare should not be afraid to step out of their homes for fear of their safety, and women’s right to reproductive healthcare must be upheld, conflict or no conflict.”