WHO Director Visits Sudan to Assess Health Conditions Amid Ongoing Conflict

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recently visited Sudan to assess the country’s health conditions amidst the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Aid Forces.

According to the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Hassan Balkhi, the health situation in Sudan is “collapsed and complex in some areas, and coherent in others, thanks to Sudanese doctors who work day and night to provide services to patients.” Balkhi emphasized the importance of the visit, stating that it allowed the WHO to closely examine the health situation in the country, particularly the health conditions of children and the general population.

The WHO Director-General visited the Children’s Accident Hospital in Port Sudan, where he inspected the malnutrition ward, which was overcrowded with a large number of sick children. The hospital’s medical director, Ayman Abdel Qader, described the visit as “very important” and announced that Tedros promised to establish a new hospital for children.

Sudan’s Minister of Health, Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, welcomed the WHO Director-General’s visit, stating that it demonstrates the organization’s support for Sudan during this challenging period. The minister emphasized that the WHO’s work goes beyond financial aid, as it also stimulates the efforts of other international organizations to finance activities in Sudan.

The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on Sudan’s healthcare system, with over 80% of hospitals and medical facilities out of service. The WHO has warned that access to humanitarian aid and health services in Sudan is severely limited, with approximately 15 million people in need of urgent healthcare, including maternal and newborn care, cancer treatment, and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

The WHO Director-General’s visit to Sudan is a crucial step towards addressing the country’s healthcare crisis. The organization’s efforts to provide support and resources to Sudanese healthcare workers will be essential in mitigating the impact of the conflict on the country’s healthcare system.