WHO believes the number of attacks is likely much higher
24 September 2024, Cairo, Egypt – By mid-September, the number of verified attacks on health care facilities in Sudan had reached 106 since the onset of the armed conflict in April 2023.
The actual number is likely to be much higher. Ongoing – and, in some areas, worsening –violence hinders WHO’s ability to independently verify attacks and casualties.
Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy underlined how difficult it is to assess the true scale of the impact of attacks on health care.
“For each attack there is a human cost borne by the entire community,” she said.
“In times of extreme violence, as we are unfortunately witnessing in Sudan, it becomes even more crucial to have a functional health system. But instead, we not only see facilities but also health workers – the caregivers to the most vulnerable in society – targeted, despite their inspirational commitment to serve.”
Of the 106 verified attacks, over 70 have involved health facilities, and 42 impacted health personnel. In addition to these, attacks have been reported on transport, including ambulances, and on medical supplies and warehouses. In 29 of these incidents, patients were directly impacted. The worst affected areas are the states of Khartoum, Darfur and South Kordofan.
A nurse* working at a primary health care centre in Darfur described what happened when the facility at which she worked came under attack.
“After the attack on our facility we lost access to crucial medical supplies and equipment, including medicines
from WHO EMRO News https://ift.tt/YK9AIpZ
Post a Comment
0Comments