Scenes from within South Hospital, El Fasher, North Darfur, where multiple people have been wounded in the fighting © Ali Shukur/MSF
All other hospitals in the city have had to close due to their proximity to the fighting, or the inability of staff to reach them due to the intensity of the conflict. Surgeons from those hospitals have now come to South Hospital and have been able to carry out a number of surgical operations. However, they are rapidly running out of supplies. We were able to reach the hospital to restock it on Tuesday, when there was a lull in the fighting, but if we cannot get more supplies to Darfur – and if we continue to receive such high numbers of wounded – there are only enough medical supplies to last another three weeks."
It is critical that we are able to gain access to all health facilities across the country. At this moment in time, this is what will save people’s lives.Cyrus Paye, MSF Project Coordinator
Health facilities are running out of supplies and staff cannot get to work
"Currently, within Sudan, nothing can move. The airports across the country have all been closed since the fighting began and there is fighting in the streets, so we cannot get more supplies to North Darfur – or into the country. Chad has closed its border. So if the situation doesn’t change and humanitarian access is not granted, there will be even greater loss of life."
As things stand, the two operating theatres that have been established cannot cope with the non-stop influx of trauma and emergency OBGYN patients. In the maternity ward, there are currently two women in each bed. Previously, a neighbouring hospital was carrying out all emergency caesarian sections – usually around three to five per day – and with more than 30 normal deliveries in a 24 hour period. Now, all of these are taking place in South Hospital at the same time as the trauma surgeons are at work. We just heard that last night, the Paediatric Hospital where we used to referred neonates was completely looted, which means that we now have nowhere to refer newborns who have sepsis – or those who are born preterm. There are no incubators in South Hospital, which will make is difficult to keep those children alive. The current team are overwhelmed. They have been working round the clock. We are exploring options to bring supplies and experienced trauma surgeons into the country to provide support when the situation allows, but – as is the case with medical supplies – currently, this is not possible.
It is critical that we are able to gain access to all health facilities across the country. At this moment in time, this is what will save people’s lives. Health facilities are running out of supplies and staff cannot get to work. Health worker, relief worker and rescue workers have all become immobilised by the fighting and people are dying as a result. Access is what will change this. That, and a guarantee from the warring parties that they will spare civilians’ lives."
