Access to healthcare remains severely limited in Sudan, the World Health Organization said at a press conference in Geneva today.
Reports indicate that 39% of health facilities are damaged or non-functional, and that these facilities suffer from shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
Vaccination activities are largely limited to the most affected areas.
The results in Khartoum are particularly stark, with around 90% of health facilities not functioning.
MSF reported that its medical activities in Bashayer Hospital, one of the last remaining hospitals in southern Khartoum, have been suspended due to repeated attacks on staff and patients.
Cholera, malaria, dengue fever and measles have been recorded in more than a dozen states, with more than 50,568 cholera cases and 1,200 deaths reported.
Attacks on health care :
Since April 2023, 141 attacks on health care facilities have been recorded, resulting in 240 deaths and 216 injuries.
A further 77 attacks have occurred since January 2024, resulting in 202 deaths and 171 injuries.
WHO is leading the health emergency response, delivering more than 1.
5 metric tons of medical supplies, supporting nutrition centers, ensuring cholera and polio vaccinations, and monitoring disease outbreaks through cross-border operations.
Hard-to-reach areas have been supplied, mobile clinics have been deployed, and mental health professionals have been trained.
Despite these efforts, access to health care remains severely constrained by widespread insecurity, attacks on health facilities, shortages of medicines and medical supplies, as well as shortages of health workers and the cash resources needed to run these facilities.
People are dying because they cannot access essential and necessary health care and medicines.
According to the HeRAMS report issued in December 2024, 38% of hospitals are non-functional and 62% are partially functional in 7 states and the central Abyei area.
Essential services, including maternal and child health care, management of severe acute malnutrition, and treatment of patients with chronic diseases, have been disrupted in many areas at a time when they are most needed.
Across Sudan, women are dying from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Disruption of childhood vaccinations, disease surveillance and vector control, coupled with access issues and natural disasters, have created conditions conducive to the spread of disease outbreaks.
Displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and lack of access to care for chronic diseases and maternal and child health needs continue to lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality among the population.
Many areas of the country remain inaccessible to humanitarian actors, and insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles and logistical challenges have limited the ability of WHO and partners to provide direct assistance to health facilities in Darfur, Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar and Kordofan.
...Disease Outbreaks
Cholera, measles, malaria, dengue, and meningitis were reported from several states.
For measles, 798 cases and 10 deaths were reported from 12 states, reflecting a case fatality rate of 1.
25%.
For dengue, 8,852 cases and 15 associated deaths were recorded from 8 states during weeks 31 to 48, reflecting a case fatality rate of 0.
2%.
Dengue fever has been classified as a global emergency of the third category since December 2023.
With regard to malaria, 2.
4 million clinical malaria cases and 122 deaths have been recorded from 15 states, with a case fatality rate of 0.
2% since September 4, 2023.
As for cholera
Sudanese health authorities declared a new wave of cholera outbreak on August 12, 2024, with cases reported up to July 22.
The organization indicated that lack of access to clean water and sanitation, in addition to heavy rains and floods, and the collapse of the health system have led to a massive expansion of cases and high mortality rates.
As of January 13, 51,203 cases and 1,356 deaths have been reported, with a high case fatality rate of 2.
6% from 84 districts in 11 states.
Cholera outbreak response :
WHO is working closely with the Federal and State Ministries of Health to coordinate efforts to address the cholera outbreak.
With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF are supporting the Federal Ministry of Health in implementing oral cholera vaccination campaigns, providing technical, operational and financial support for these campaigns.
Between 19 August and 3 January 2024, cholera campaigns were implemented in 23 districts across 8 states, reaching 7.
4 million people.
An additional 2.
3 million doses of oral cholera vaccine have been requested from the International Coordination Group.
WHO has prepositioned cholera kits and other essential medical supplies in the states at risk in anticipation of the risks associated with the rainy season.
These supplies are helping to accelerate the response to the outbreak in all areas, including states that are difficult to reach such as Khartoum and Al-Jazeera, due to security concerns.
To strengthen cholera case management, WHO has established 12 treatment units and supported 48 oral rehydration points in health facilities and communities, where oral rehydration solution is distributed to patients with mild to moderate dehydration. Surveillance and response efforts are also being strengthened through the deployment of rapid response teams and the use of the Early Warning Alert and Rapid Response System (EWARS).
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