Dr. Mawaheb Younis, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology and a key member of the initiative, has highlighted a number of factors contributing to the health crisis, including lack of food, deteriorating environmental conditions and inadequate access to adequate sanitary facilities.
To address the shortage of health facilities, 22 field clinics have been established in four new refugee reception camps in Adré. Some of these clinics operate under the direction of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), while others are run by local charities and Sudanese refugee doctors. The need for these clinics arose due to Adré Hospital’s inability to effectively care for all cases, as Dr. Younis explained.
Although field clinics primarily focus on treating injuries and fractures, they face challenges in meeting the needs of patients with chronic diseases. Despite ongoing efforts, Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in Adré from South and North Darfur states, and clinics have already performed around 20 operations to treat people with gunshot-related fractures in recent weeks. Some critical cases have been transferred to hospitals in Abéché and N’Djamena.
Beyond pressing physical health challenges, refugees also face profound psychological impacts resulting from experiences such as rape, physical assault, and other violations. Despite surveys carried out to assess their needs, tangible psychological support for refugees remains insufficient.
“Alarming deterioration”
The Federal Ministry of Health recognized the alarming deterioration of the health system in the Darfur region, particularly in Central and Western Darfur.
Sudan’s Federal Minister of Health Haitham Mohamed met with Darfur’s Health Minister Babiker Mohamedin on Tuesday to discuss the challenges of delivering medical supplies to the region.
The meeting emphasized the importance of joint coordination between the government and international, national and UN organizations to ensure effective deliveries of supplies through collaborative mechanisms. Urgent measures were recommended, including supporting the region’s internal health system and rapidly delivering supplies ahead of the rainy season.
Babiker Mohamedin, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Darfur, expressed concern about the extremely complex health situation in the region. He pointed out that security conditions have made it difficult for medical supplies and personnel to arrive, causing a drop in health services.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Darfur region has acted by starting the distribution of medicines and food aid to several health centers and hospitals in different areas of North Darfur. An inspection tour led by Darfur Governor Minni Minawi revealed the dire conditions faced by residents of North Darfur.
As part of the first relief measures, the ministry distributed food aid, including rice, flour, oil and sugar, with plans to expand aid distribution to all regions of Darfur. The ministry has engaged with numerous humanitarian organizations to quickly address the plight of displaced people and refugees, particularly those seeking refuge in the Adré region.
