Doctors Without Borders Halts Operations at Bashair Hospital

moatinoon
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced the suspension of its activities at a major hospital in Khartoum due to repeated attacks on patients and staff.

In a statement issued today, MSF said, "We have now made the extremely difficult decision to suspend all medical activities at the hospital," after condemning ongoing violent attacks on patients and staff at Bashair Teaching Hospital. The organization noted that these attacks have persisted despite extensive engagement with all stakeholders.

Bashair Hospital, located in an area under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is one of the last remaining operational hospitals in southern Khartoum providing free medical care.

"The suffering we witness in Khartoum is immense. Extreme violence continues daily. With shortages of food, supplies, and humanitarian aid, people are struggling to survive. Medical needs are overwhelming. Injuries are often horrific. Mass casualty incidents have become almost routine," said Claire San Filippo, MSF emergency coordinator. "Our team, hospital staff, and volunteers have worked tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to provide medical care. But without security and safety, it has become impossible to continue when the lives of our staff and patients are at risk."

MSF joined volunteers and medical staff in reopening Bashair Hospital in May 2023, shortly after the war began. Since then, the hospital has treated 25,585 patients, including over 9,000 with gunshot and explosion-related injuries. It has performed 3,700 surgeries, mostly for conflict-related injuries, and assisted in nearly 3,800 births, including 850 cesarean sections.

"It is devastating that we have to stop supporting life-saving medical care at this hospital, especially given the immense and growing medical needs," the statement added. "Every time MSF is forced to suspend its activities, patients have even less access to the critical medical care they desperately need. Hospitals must be places where people can seek healthcare without risking their lives, and where medical teams can provide care safely."