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Dr. Ibrahim Khat, the Minister of Health for Sudan’s North Darfur state, on Wednesday denied claims that the main hospital in the city of El Fasher had stopped working.
In an exclusive statement to the Arab World News Agency, he said the city’s main hospital, the Southern Hospital, “has not stopped working and is still providing services to patients and the injured as normal, but because the hospital was bombed, patients and visitors are in fear.”
Earlier reports said that hundreds of wounded and injured had taken shelter at the hospital about a month ago after it stopped functioning due to ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in the city.
Some of the damage to the hospital (from the Facebook page of Darfur Governor Minni Alko Minawi)
However, Hart described the content of these reports as “incorrect and common sayings”, saying that “the South Hospital is operating as it is”, but at the same time he pointed out that “the hospital has been bombed many times, but “the efforts of Fashir, the State-led Health Support Committee and other partners from national and international organizations have not stopped, thanks to the determination of the medical teams, workers, employees and the public.”
He added: “We anticipated all scenarios and we took them into account because the enemy’s (referring to the Rapid Support Forces) primary goal is to paralyze the movement of citizens through repeated bombings of markets, safe communities, water stations, health centres and all services… but we are determined to deliver services with the resources we have.”
He added: “If the work at the hospital stops, we have a set of alternative plans, as we have prepared some hospitals and health centers. We are fighting with the weapons we have and know, and this is our message to all those who think that explosions are terrorizing medical personnel and staff… Our commitment to continue this work is a national and moral commitment, and we will not deviate from that point on until our last breath.”
Carter said the health situation in El Fasher is “relatively stable, and anyone who arrives at the hospital can see a doctor, with laboratory, radiology, hospitalization, general and medical and surgical procedures, and even dental, children’s, women’s and obstetrics and gynecology services provided.”
After strengthening their control over four-fifths of Darfur, the Rapid Support Forces have placed a tight siege on the city of El Fasher in an attempt to take control of the city.
Last Tuesday, Sudan’s foreign ministry said the army had airdropped 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies in North Darfur “as part of the government’s responsibility to alleviate the difficult humanitarian situation in the state”.
The ministry cited acting Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim as confirming that “the National Fund for Medical Supplies is committed to providing medicines and medical supplies to all regions of the country.”
Fighting broke out suddenly between Sudan’s army and Rapid Support Forces in mid-April last year following weeks of tensions between the two sides as the military and civilian parties were making final preparations for an internationally backed political process.
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