Khartoum, Sudan – In the heart of south Khartoum, Bashair Hospital, one of the last operational medical facilities providing free care, has become a sanctuary for those suffering the brutal consequences of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The hospital’s commitment to aiding those affected is seen in the increasing number of patients, many of whom are victims of violent trauma resulting from nearby shelling and airstrikes.
The relentless violence has forced the hospital to deal simultaneously with an overwhelming influx of severe injuries and the challenges of keeping its doors open amidst constant threats. On one harrowing day, January 5, 2025, a mere kilometer away from an airstrike site, Bashair Hospital received 50 casualties, 12 of whom were already deceased upon arrival. This spike in emergency cases is punctuated by a marked increase in pediatric and maternity needs, as other nearby health facilities shutter or scale back operations.
As if the wounds of war were not enough, the hospital staff also contends with outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and dengue, alongside alarming rates of malnutrition among the population. These health crises coincide with logistical nightmares, such as the blockade of surgical supplies by the Sudanese Armed Forces in October 2023, severely hampering medical treatment and surgeries.
The past year has not only tested the limits of the hospital’s capabilities but has also seen Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) grapple with maintaining their operations in such hazardous conditions. MSF had to cease activities at the nearby Turkish hospital in July of the previous year due to violence against its staff and the imminent threats they faced, underscoring the perilous environment in which they work.
San Filippo, an MSF representative, expressed profound distress over the decision to halt operations at Bashair Hospital. “The cessation of support for life-saving medical care, especially amid escalating medical needs, is heartbreaking,” Filippo said. She emphasized the critical role hospitals play in wartime, serving as safe havens for both medical staff and the wounded, which should not be compromised under any circumstances.
Since reopening in May 2023 after the onset of the war, the hospital has treated over 25,000 emergency patients, with injuries mainly stemming from conflict, including blast and gunshot wounds. Moreover, the medical team has performed around 3,700 surgical procedures and assisted in nearly 3,800 childbirths, of which 850 were caesarean sections, reflecting the broad scope of medical interventions carried out under challenging circumstances.
Despite suspending activities at Bashair Hospital, MSF continues to operate across 11 states in Sudan, including in Omdurman. There remains a glimmer of hope that conditions will improve, allowing MSF to resume medical services at Bashair Hospital and continue their vital work in the region.
The situation in Sudan continues to be a stark reminder of the essential nature of healthcare, especially in conflict zones where access to medical services can significantly influence survival and recovery. The international community remains watchful, hoping for stabilization that could secure safe, ongoing healthcare for those caught in the crossfire of war.