Amid Conflict, Sudanese Medical Workers Persist in Providing Care
Healthcare professionals in Khartoum risk their lives to assist patients amidst ongoing violence and destruction.
As armed conflict erupted in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, in April 2023, medical facilities quickly became overwhelmed.
Dr. Safaa Ali, an obstetrician, faced a significant personal dilemma: to evacuate to Egypt with her four children or remain in Sudan to fulfill her professional duties.
Choosing the latter, Dr. Ali has not seen her family since.
Nearly two years into the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), she remains one of the few remaining obstetricians in the capital, devoted to safeguarding the health of pregnant women.
Dr. Ali draws motivation from a deep connection to her work and country.
“We find strength in our love of our country, our passion for our work, and the oath we swore,” she stated in a delivery room impacted by the conflict.
Dr. Ali is part of a dedicated group of healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, and support staff—who congregate in the few hospitals still operational in Omdurman, Khartoum’s adjacent city.
Their facilities have transformed into battlegrounds; many hospitals have suffered bombings, and numerous medical personnel have been killed in the line of duty.
Despite the dangerous conditions, this committed cohort has persevered, showing up day after day to attend to their patients.
Bothaina Abdelrahman, a janitor at Omdurman’s Al-Nao Hospital for 27 years, exemplifies this dedication.
After sheltering with her family for the initial 48 hours of the conflict, she returned to work and has maintained a consistent presence ever since, often walking four hours to and from the hospital each day.
The ongoing violence has placed healthcare professionals in precarious positions.
Reports indicate that they have faced accusations of collaborating with enemy forces or neglecting injured combatants.
Dr. Khalid Abdelsalam, the Khartoum project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, noted that healthcare workers have been targets of attacks, kidnappings, and even killings.
The Sudanese doctors’ union has reported that up to 90 percent of hospitals in conflict-affected regions have been shuttered, with at least 78 health workers killed since the conflict started.
The World Health Organization recorded 119 attacks on health facilities as of October 2023.
In a stark illustration of the healthcare crisis, Dr. Abdelsalam mentioned that, at one point, there were no functioning MRI machines in the entire country.
Nonetheless, medical professionals like Khansa Al-Moatasem continue to lead their teams under challenging circumstances.
As head of the nursing staff at Al-Nao, the only operational hospital throughout the conflict, Al-Moatasem expressed her commitment to serving the community.
Despite enduring three direct hits at Al-Nao since the conflict began, facility signs emphasize, "No weapons allowed," though this rule is frequently disregarded.
Following an RSF assault on a nearby maternity hospital, Dr. Ali personally negotiated with RSF commanders to safeguard the women’s hospital, only to witness additional assaults shortly afterward.
In July 2023, the hospital faced catastrophic damage when it was bombed, resulting in severe injuries and the eventual closure of its operations due to structural integrity issues.
Dr. Ali subsequently initiated mobile clinics and established a temporary maternity ward at Al-Nao, which partially reopened in October.
Since early 2024, with army forces regaining control of much of Omdurman, some semblance of normalcy has returned, though violence persists, impacting medical facilities.
In February 2024, Al-Nao suffered from RSF shelling, which necessitated emergency care for numerous casualties at the hospital.
The surviving hospitals have increasingly depended on volunteer support from local Emergency Response Rooms—youth-led grassroots networks delivering aid across Sudan despite limited resources.
With seasoned physicians in short supply, Dr. Fathia Abdelmajed, a pediatrician with four decades of experience, has taken on a mentorship role at Al-Buluk Hospital, training younger medical staff.
She has formerly treated patients at her home in Omdurman and now dedicates her time to building capacity among the overwhelmed hospital team.
Dr. Abdelmajed noted the dedication of the young volunteers makes her role immensely rewarding, marking a significant moment in her career.
Dr. Safaa Ali, an obstetrician, faced a significant personal dilemma: to evacuate to Egypt with her four children or remain in Sudan to fulfill her professional duties.
Choosing the latter, Dr. Ali has not seen her family since.
Nearly two years into the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), she remains one of the few remaining obstetricians in the capital, devoted to safeguarding the health of pregnant women.
Dr. Ali draws motivation from a deep connection to her work and country.
“We find strength in our love of our country, our passion for our work, and the oath we swore,” she stated in a delivery room impacted by the conflict.
Dr. Ali is part of a dedicated group of healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, and support staff—who congregate in the few hospitals still operational in Omdurman, Khartoum’s adjacent city.
Their facilities have transformed into battlegrounds; many hospitals have suffered bombings, and numerous medical personnel have been killed in the line of duty.
Despite the dangerous conditions, this committed cohort has persevered, showing up day after day to attend to their patients.
Bothaina Abdelrahman, a janitor at Omdurman’s Al-Nao Hospital for 27 years, exemplifies this dedication.
After sheltering with her family for the initial 48 hours of the conflict, she returned to work and has maintained a consistent presence ever since, often walking four hours to and from the hospital each day.
The ongoing violence has placed healthcare professionals in precarious positions.
Reports indicate that they have faced accusations of collaborating with enemy forces or neglecting injured combatants.
Dr. Khalid Abdelsalam, the Khartoum project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, noted that healthcare workers have been targets of attacks, kidnappings, and even killings.
The Sudanese doctors’ union has reported that up to 90 percent of hospitals in conflict-affected regions have been shuttered, with at least 78 health workers killed since the conflict started.
The World Health Organization recorded 119 attacks on health facilities as of October 2023.
In a stark illustration of the healthcare crisis, Dr. Abdelsalam mentioned that, at one point, there were no functioning MRI machines in the entire country.
Nonetheless, medical professionals like Khansa Al-Moatasem continue to lead their teams under challenging circumstances.
As head of the nursing staff at Al-Nao, the only operational hospital throughout the conflict, Al-Moatasem expressed her commitment to serving the community.
Despite enduring three direct hits at Al-Nao since the conflict began, facility signs emphasize, "No weapons allowed," though this rule is frequently disregarded.
Following an RSF assault on a nearby maternity hospital, Dr. Ali personally negotiated with RSF commanders to safeguard the women’s hospital, only to witness additional assaults shortly afterward.
In July 2023, the hospital faced catastrophic damage when it was bombed, resulting in severe injuries and the eventual closure of its operations due to structural integrity issues.
Dr. Ali subsequently initiated mobile clinics and established a temporary maternity ward at Al-Nao, which partially reopened in October.
Since early 2024, with army forces regaining control of much of Omdurman, some semblance of normalcy has returned, though violence persists, impacting medical facilities.
In February 2024, Al-Nao suffered from RSF shelling, which necessitated emergency care for numerous casualties at the hospital.
The surviving hospitals have increasingly depended on volunteer support from local Emergency Response Rooms—youth-led grassroots networks delivering aid across Sudan despite limited resources.
With seasoned physicians in short supply, Dr. Fathia Abdelmajed, a pediatrician with four decades of experience, has taken on a mentorship role at Al-Buluk Hospital, training younger medical staff.
She has formerly treated patients at her home in Omdurman and now dedicates her time to building capacity among the overwhelmed hospital team.
Dr. Abdelmajed noted the dedication of the young volunteers makes her role immensely rewarding, marking a significant moment in her career.