Christos Christou, the President of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), revealed on Wednesday that Sudan’s healthcare system is deteriorating, with over 70% of medical facilities non-functional due to destruction and looting.
Speaking to Sky News Arabia from Port Sudan, Christou noted that a third of the war casualties in Sudan are women and children under ten.
He said, “Surveys show an increase in diseases related to malnutrition, particularly among pregnant women who are losing their children due to malnutrition.” MSF operates in eight Sudanese states, including Khartoum, which has seen mass displacement. They are trying to restore some of the health facilities affected by the war.
“More than 70% of health facilities in Sudan are non-functional because they have been destroyed, looted, or lack sufficient supplies and staff,” he explained.
Christou highlighted the need for collaboration with the medical facilities and the Ministry of Health, emphasizing the importance of working with both warring parties, the army and the Rapid Support Forces, to ensure the safety of their staff.
He also pointed out a funding crisis, stating, “UN organizations are suffering from a significant funding shortfall, and NGOs cannot come due to security risks. MSF will increase its activities in Sudan to fill the gaps caused by the funding shortage.”
