$82 million committed to Sudan’s crippled health system

UN
The World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed an $82 million agreement known as the Sudan Health Assistance and Response in Emergencies, to improve access to critical services for more than eight million people across Sudan.
As of now, more than 70 per cent of hospitals and health facilities in conflict-affected areas are non-operational. According to WHO, most of them lack necessary supplies or have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
“In Sudan, the systems providing vulnerable children and families with essential social services are on the brink of collapse,” said UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett.
Frontline workers, including nurses, doctors and other essential staff, have not been paid in months.
Health services decimated
The delivery of vaccine supplies, and routine immunisation activities have also been hindered by security concerns and lack of access.
However, with limited access to safe water and adequate sanitation, especially in overcrowded displacement camps, recent disease outbreaks risk exacerbation.
An estimated 3.4 million children under the age of five are currently at high risk of disease including measles, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases and cholera.
UN agencies are now planning to provide essential medicines, train health workers, treat severe malnutrition and strengthen vaccination campaigns, while partners work towards enhancing disease surveillance systems.
“By investing in preparedness and resilience, we are paving the way for a stronger, more sustainable health system,” said WHO Representative in Sudan Dr. Shible Sahbani, emphasising the significance of the project.