In comments made to the Middle East newspaper, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Hassan Belkhay, spoke about a "medicinal gap" in the country amidst the rampant epidemic diseases among the population.

Dr. Belkhay also revealed that "about 70 to 80 percent of the hospitals in the conflict-affected states are not operational, either due to attacks, lack of medical supplies and operating necessities, or shortage of healthcare workers". She pointed out that "hospitals are overcrowded with patients and the wounded, as the influx of people seeking care continues, many of whom are internally displaced, while access to many hospitals is hindered." Part of the crisis in the hospitals was attributed to "lack of security" in addition to the fact that "the health system in Sudan, already strained before the war, is now on the verge of collapse."

A Frightening Crisis

The organization's official has called out to the international community to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid and to end the ongoing hostilities in some states of Sudan, emphasizing the fulfillment of the commitments made at the recent Paris conference, and unveiling potential funding plans should these international commitments be honored.

Belkhay, who visited Sudan in mid-last month, stated, "My observations on the ground in Sudan confirmed the dire humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict, with its frightening dimensions; where 25 million people need urgent assistance this year, while the war has displaced 8.6 million people, and has killed at least 14,600 people, and injured another 33,000 at a minimum."

During her visit last March, she monitored the war's impact on Sudan's health situation. "I met with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, along with the UN Resident Coordinator, members of the health cluster, and WHO staff, as well as healthcare workers on the front lines in their line of duty.The visit was an opportunity to reaffirm and renew our commitment, at the WHO, to address the escalating health and humanitarian crisis in Sudan."

According to Belkhay, the outbreak of diseases is on the rise, including cholera, measles, malaria, poliovirus type 2, dengue fever, and hepatitis E, amid the suspension of basic public health services, while food insecurity has reached a record level; nearly half of the children suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Medicinal Gap

Despite acknowledging the difficulties in Sudan, Belkhay confirms that WHO is doing its utmost "within the available capabilities," employing all possible means and collaborating with local and international partners to make life-saving healthcare accessible to millions of the most vulnerable people.

Over the course of a year, WHO and its partners have maintained a significant presence on the ground; the organization has assisted approximately 2.5 million people and its mobile clinics have served 3.3 million individuals, providing cholera, measles, and rubella vaccines to millions in various states.

She reported the distribution of vital supplies to treat 115,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications, noting that recent efforts by WHO and partners have led to a decrease in cholera, dengue fever, and malaria cases.

"Reports are still coming in about shortages in medicines and medical supplies, including treatments for chronic diseases, despite supplies from WHO and other health partners," Belkhay added.

Attacks on Hospitals

The WHO Regional Director stated since the beginning of the war in Sudan, "the organization has verified at least 62 attacks on healthcare, resulting in 38 deaths and 45 injuries," and strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on healthcare in Sudan, including the occupation of health facilities. "Such assaults must stop."

Belkhay warned, "If the situation continues as it is, we expect an increase in deaths among all populations due to displacement, disease outbreaks, inability to access healthcare, unmet health needs of mothers and newborns, and shortages of food, water, and medicine."

She emphasized WHO's plea for the commitments pledged by the donor community during the recent International Humanitarian Conference in Paris for Sudan and neighboring countries, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid and end the ongoing hostilities.

Belkhay added, "The two billion dollars pledged for the humanitarian response in Sudan represents a lifeline for people facing unbearable suffering and health consequences arising from war, displacement, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity."