In brief
A harrowing account of the medical professionals working against the odds in a beleaguered Sudanese city under siege.
In el-Fasher, the last operational hospital in Sudan's western Darfur region, medical personnel courageously continue their work under relentless bombardments that have plagued the city for the past nine months. Dr. Mustafa Ali Abdulrahman Ibo and his colleagues are on the front lines, with the hospital recently recording 28 fatalities and over 50 injuries among staff and patients due to increased shelling. Dr. Ibo emphasized the terrifying reality, stating that attacks on Saudi Hospital have escalated to a new level of intensity, making it a grim routine.One intense day, while conducting an emergency caesarean section, the hospital was struck by shells. Dr. Ibo recounted the chaotic moment when medical staff had to complete the surgery in near total darkness after a shell hit the maternity operating room and knocked out electricity. "We had to use our phones as flashlights to carry out the operation safely despite the clouds of dust and shrapnel around us," he shared.Dr. Khatab Mohammed, who assisted in the surgery, mentioned that maintaining sterility was nearly impossible under such dire conditions. After ensuring the safety of both the patient and themselves, they managed to successfully deliver the infant amidst the crumbling infrastructure. The intense survival moment prompted the team to capture a photo together, a bittersweet reminder of their situation, as Dr. Mohammed felt it might be their last collective memory if another shell struck.With Sudan’s civil conflict escalating since April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), el-Fasher now lives under siege, surviving on dwindling resources and support. The conflict has forced over 12 million people from their homes, and the RSF has been implicated in ethnic cleansing against non-Arab populations. The situation has deteriorated further, forcing the closure of all other medical facilities in el-Fasher, leaving Saudi Hospital—the only one with surgical capacity—as the sole source of care. Dr. Mudathir Ibrahim Suleiman, the hospital's medical director, described the heart-wrenching conditions, revealing that pregnant women and children are among those paralyzed by fear during air raids, needing to dig through rubble for safety.In light of increasing danger, the medical staff remains resolute despite contemplating the end of their work. "We could leave, but we know the people of el-Fasher are counting on us, especially women and children who are desperately in need of our services," Dr. Suleiman remarked.El-Fasher's populace has seen massive displacement, with around half of the city’s original inhabitants seeking refuge in the nearby Zamzam camp, now home to approximately 500,000 individuals living in dire conditions. Humanitarian efforts continue, with organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) attempting to deliver medical services under siege, but these ambulances have also become targets, showcasing the perilous situation across the region.Amidst destruction, the dedicated medical staff fosters hope, taking inspiration from their commitment to the community and the resilience of their colleagues. Dr. Ibo stated, "Each lost life propels us to do better," and he remains determined to continue their essential work, regardless of the overwhelming challenges faced daily.As the World Health Organization calls for adherence to humanitarian laws and the protection of health facilities, the doctors of el-Fasher hold onto their mission, continuing to serve where hope is waning, praying for peace amid the chaos.
