The collapsing healthcare system in Sudan threatens children’s lives

Children are dying due to the failing healthcare system in Sudan, according to the World Health Organisation. What needs to change?

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), those who were affected were children refugees living in nine camps in Sudan’s White Nile state.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi insisted that the world had “the means and the money” to prevent every one of those deaths.

Grandi urged for an end to the fighting and greater financial assistance for emergency relief efforts in the nation.

Greater financial assistance for emergency relief efforts needed

The healthcare system in Sudan is on the verge of collapse

The UNCHR reported that Sudan witnessed over 3,100 suspected cases of measles, more than 500 suspected cases of cholera between May 15th and September 15th, and an outbreak of dengue and malaria.

The UN agency highlighted a scenario of heightened epidemic risk and acknowledged the difficulties in managing these epidemics.

UNHCR’s Chief of Public Health, Dr. Allen Maina, told reporters in Geneva that the situation has “brought health care in the country to its knees”.

According to the WHO, approximately 11 million individuals in Sudan need healthcare assistance.

11 million individuals in Sudan need healthcare assistance

Dr Ilham Nour, who leads the UN agency’s healthcare operations in the country, stated that 3.4 million children under 5 suffer from acute malnutrition, and millions of people require treatment for chronic illnesses, including 8,500 patients who need renal dialysis.

Rising inflation

According to Dr Nour, the latest reports indicate that 80% of hospitals in regions affected by conflict are not operational.

Since the start of the war, WHO has documented 56 attacks targeting healthcare facilities, medical resources, transportation, healthcare personnel, and patients, which contravene international humanitarian laws.

The absence of healthcare access and continuous attacks on health and nutrition services have raised concerns at the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF); they have warned that “many thousands of newborns” in Sudan may lose their lives by the end of the year.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder emphasised the urgent care requirements for the 333,000 children expected to be born in Sudan between October and December, as well as for their mothers.

urgent care requirements for the 333,000 children expected to be born in Sudan between October and December

He expressed apprehension that Sudan’s youngest citizens might be entering a period marked by an unprecedented increase in mortality, and he also highlighted the growing reports of children being recruited into armed groups.

Financial struggles for frontline workers

Mr Elder also described the education crisis as 12 million Sudanese children anxiously awaiting the reopening of schools. He commented on the bravery and determination of Sudan’s frontline public service workers. He acknowledged that nurses, physicians, educators, and social workers have gone without salaries for months while inflation in the country ran rampant.