Sudan’s Health System Nears Collapse Amid Escalating Conflict

News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/sudans-health-system-nears-collapse-amid-escalating-conflict/Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure is on the verge of collapse after two years of intense conflict, compounded by an imminent rainy season that threatens to worsen disease outbreaks and malnutrition.

Over 30 million people urgently require humanitarian aid, with 20 million in critical need of medical care, as attacks on health facilities, shortages of supplies, and restricted access cripple remaining services.The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than two-thirds of Sudan’s states are battling simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, dengue, measles, and malaria. Disrupted vaccination campaigns and damaged water systems have left children vulnerable to preventable diseases, while famine conditions confirmed in five regions risk spreading to 17 additional areas.



An estimated 770,000 children under five face severe acute malnutrition, with 24.6 million people projected to experience acute food insecurity in 2025.Since April 2023, WHO has verified 156 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 318 deaths and 273 injuries among medical personnel and patients.

These violations of international humanitarian law have forced hospitals to close or operate at minimal capacity, leaving millions without lifesaving care.Despite these challenges, WHO and partners have delivered 2,250 metric tons of medical supplies, vaccinated over 10 million children against measles, and treated nearly 50,000 malnourished children. A recent malaria vaccination campaign in Gedaref and Blue Nile states has immunized 35,000 children since November 2024.

The Sudan Health Assistance and Response in Emergencies (SHARE) project, a collaboration with the World Bank and UNICEF, aims to restore hospitals and primary care centers.However, funding gaps jeopardize these efforts. Only 20% of WHO’s $135 million response plan for 2025 is secured.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the urgency of safe access for aid workers and increased international support. “Health workers are achieving the impossible with almost nothing,” she said.

The rainy season, expected to begin in coming weeks, will likely heighten disease transmission and further isolate vulnerable communities. Without immediate intervention, Sudan’s health crisis risks spiraling into irreversible catastrophe.The situation underscores a broader pattern in conflict zones where healthcare systems are systematically eroded.

Similar crises in Yemen and Syria highlight how prolonged warfare amplifies public health disasters, often leaving generations grappling with preventable diseases and malnutrition. International bodies stress that sustained ceasefire agreements and unhindered humanitarian access are critical to preventing total collapse. Yet, as global attention shifts, Sudan’s plight serves as a stark reminder of the human cost when political solutions falter and aid falls short.

News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/sudans-health-system-nears-collapse-amid-escalating-conflict/.