[ad_1]
30 July 2024 (Port Sudan) – The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is alarmed by the increasing number of attacks on healthcare in Sudan, with 22 such attacks reportedly confirmed in the past eight weeks alone.
In a period extending to sudan tribuneWHO said attacks on health services were deplorable and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Health agencies say medical services in Sudan are already severely restricted by more than a year of war.
According to the World Health Organization, since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, 88 attacks on medical facilities, ambulances and transport, assets, patients and medical workers have been confirmed, killing 55 people and injuring 104 people.
For example, it has been reported that since June 1, 2024, 22 attacks on health care have been verified, resulting in the deaths of 16 medical staff and patients, including children.
WHO noted that hospitals, medical facilities, ambulances and other medical assets are the lifeline for the Sudanese people, who are suffering from relentless fighting and frequent displacement due to the ongoing war.
Health workers in Sudan continue to provide life-saving care under extremely difficult conditions as they work to reach the millions of people who need urgent care.
However, their tenacity and dedication have been met with bombing, harassment, intimidation, injury and death.
Healthcare workers should not have to risk life or limb to save another’s life. Patients should not have to risk dying in the process of seeking medical attention.
WHO observed that Sudan’s health system was already on the brink. It has been devastated by war, displacement, disease outbreaks, severe shortages of medical supplies and a lack of cash to maintain operations and pay salaries. The health system is functioning thanks to the support of health partners and the dedication of health workers who risk their lives every day to help others.
Less than 25% of health facilities are functioning in Sudan’s states worst affected by the war, while only 45% are functioning in other states. Sudanese people are already struggling to access the life-saving health care they need. Half of the population (24.8 million people) require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 15 million require emergency health assistance to survive.
Attacks on health services have prevented these people from accessing critical life-saving medical care, with more than 10.6 million people internally displaced.
Under international humanitarian law, health care, health assets, medical personnel and patients must be protected even in war.
“We call for the protection of all health workers, patients and facilities at all times,” the agency said, adding that peace was a prerequisite for ensuring the health of citizens and rebuilding health systems.
(English stone)
[ad_2]
Source link
