Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

5-minute read
14 July 2024 | 14:48 CAT

Millions of individuals in Sudan are in danger due to ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities. Doctors without Borders, also known as MSF, had to remove medical staff from the Supported Turkish Hospital in Khartoum, the capital of the country. If MSF is not on site, the hospital’s ability to provide vital surgical services will be compromised, even though it has been an integral component of the healthcare system throughout the conflict.

This choice was not made casually. MSF offered uninterrupted hands-on, life-saving care at the hospital for almost 14 months amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, despite frequent deliberate obstacles from the conflicting factions. Nevertheless, this practical assistance can no longer be provided due to recent circumstances.

Claire Nicolet, who leads MSF’s emergency response in Sudan, described the Turkish Hospital in an RSF-controlled area as no longer sustainable, referring to the Rapid Support Forces as a key faction in the conflict. Over the last year, there have been numerous instances of violence occurring both inside and outside the building, putting our staff’s safety at risk. Recently, during the nights of June 17 and 18, a large number of injured fighters were taken to the Turkish Hospital, and our team was rudely awakened as gunshots rang out in their sleeping quarters. This form of violence towards our employees is not tolerated. The warring parties need to regard hospitals and health facilities as safe havens for the sick and injured, where healthcare workers can provide medical treatment without fear. They are unable to endanger their own lives while attempting to rescue others.

During the last year, employees of MSF at the Turkish Hospital have experienced regular harassment while inside the building and when commuting to and from work. A lot of people have faced the possibility of being arrested. At the beginning of June 2024, two armed men detained and severely beat an MSF employee inside the hospital before taking them to an undisclosed location.

“The team is tired in both body and mind,” Nicolet commented. Since September, the Sudanese authorities have been blocking the delivery of medical supplies and humanitarian workers to RSF-controlled areas. The Turkish Hospital team has been working continuously for the last 10 months. The blockade has prevented us from bringing in a new team to replace them, and they have been working extremely hard to keep the hospital open despite the intense pressure.

The Turkish Hospital continues to operate due to the presence of the Ministry of Health employees. Yet, the hospital’s future is in question as surgery can only proceed with the MSF personnel who have been evacuated. From the beginning of the conflict, the Turkish hospital has played a vital role in the healthcare system, treating patients from Khartoum and even Wad Madani in Al Jazirah state. MSF had to stop working in Wad Madani in May 2024 because of ongoing security issues and challenges in getting staff and supplies into the area.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and MSF Southern Africa’s Association Director, Monica Genya here.