Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-04-16 09:00:51
On April 15, 2024, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made a passionate plea for an end to all attacks on health facilities in Sudan as the country’s conflict reached the one-year mark. Speaking at a conference on the humanitarian situation in Sudan in Paris, Tedros expressed his gratitude to France, Germany, and the European Union for hosting the event.
Tedros emphasized the urgent need for WHO to have access across borders and humanitarian corridors, citing the Adre crossing with Chad as a vital access point. He also highlighted the critical need for funding, stating that the health sector in Sudan has less than 12% of the necessary funds. Tedros appealed for more funding for the UN and its agencies to address the profound health crisis in Sudan, which he described as personal to him due to his close ties to the region.
The UN reports that over 15,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Sudan, with nearly 30,000 injured and many more succumbing to disease and malnutrition. Approximately 15 million people in Sudan are in need of health assistance, with acute and chronic malnutrition widespread. The WHO has verified 62 attacks on healthcare facilities, but acknowledges that this is likely just the beginning, as many incidents go unreported.
Currently, 70% of health facilities in hard-to-reach areas are non-operational, leaving pregnant women, newborns, children, and patients with chronic diseases without access to essential care. Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles continue to pose a threat to the population in Sudan. Reports of high rates of gender-based violence, including rape, further compound the vulnerabilities of women and girls in the region.
Tedros’s call for action underscores the dire situation facing Sudan and the urgent need for international support to address the health crisis affecting millions of people. As the conflict in Sudan enters its second year, the WHO and other humanitarian organizations continue to work tirelessly to provide essential healthcare services and support to those in need. It is imperative that the global community comes together to ensure that all individuals in Sudan have access to the healthcare they require to survive and thrive.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
