Humanitarian crisis in Sudan: the collapsed health system threats the public and global health

The ongoing war made Sudan a humanitarian crisis zone and the health system is a major causality. In April 2023, fighting broke-out countrywide after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, supposedly under the command of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), mutinied.1 Battles have initially sparked in the capital city; Khartoum, and rapidly exploded throughout the country, with both sides vying to control key locations including airports, armies bases and entry points. Currently, its intensively focused in Khartoum.

This has adversely affected and paralyzed the health system. Particularly in the capital city, the health system is no longer functioning, with patients unable to access healthcare services including dialysis, follow-up for chronic diseases, diagnosis and treatment and emergency healthcare. Severe shortage in medical supplies, drugs, and blood transfusion is prevalent countrywide. With no petrol available and insecurity; ambulance services have also ceased functioning, leading to many severely injured and dead people left unattended. This was exacerbate by attacking and taking-over hospitals and the National Public Health Laboratory.