WHO condemns deadly drone attack on Sudan hospital, calls for end to health care violence

File Source: The Star

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate end to attacks on health care workers and facilities in Sudan following a deadly drone strike that hit a hospital in North Darfur on Friday, killing at least 70 people and injuring dozens more.

The attack targeted the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in El Fasher, the region’s only functional medical facility, which provides crucial services like obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, and a nutrition stabilization center.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed his outrage over the strike, which he described as a devastating blow to the already fragile healthcare system. “As the only functional hospital in El Fasher, the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital provides services which include gyn-obstetrics, internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics, along with a nutrition stabilization center,” Dr. Tedros posted on X after the attack. “We continue to call for a cessation of all attacks on health care in Sudan, and to allow full access for the swift restoration of the facilities that have been damaged.”

The ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and left half of the population facing hunger. The conflict, sparked by disputes over the integration of the army and RSF, has intensified ethnic violence, particularly in the Darfur region, creating a dire humanitarian crisis.

Darfur Governor Mini Minnawi condemned the attack, stating on X that the RSF drone had targeted the hospital’s emergency department, killing patients, including women and children. The city of El Fasher has seen intense clashes between the RSF and Sudanese joint forces, comprising the army, armed resistance groups, police, and local defense units, further complicating efforts to provide aid to those in need.