The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate end to attacks on health facilities and the targeting of medical personnel in Sudan.
The appeal comes amid reports of an assault on the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, which reportedly resulted in a significant number of casualties among patients and their companions.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the incident as “appalling and deeply shocking” and said it constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.
“All attacks on health care must stop immediately and unconditionally,” he said in a statement.
According to WHO, the organisation has verified at least 185 attacks on health facilities in Sudan since the conflict began in April 2023, resulting in 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries among health workers and patients. Of these, 49 attacks reportedly occurred in 2025, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths.
“Health workers must never be targeted. Patients, health personnel, and health facilities must be protected under international humanitarian law,” Ghebreyesus emphasised, calling for a ceasefire.
The Sudan Doctors Union, which represents the country’s physicians, condemned the ongoing violence, describing the situation in El Fasher as extremely severe. The union expressed concern over attacks on civilians and health facilities.
The security situation in El Fasher has reportedly deteriorated after Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced the withdrawal of government troops from their last stronghold in Darfur.
This followed reports that paramilitary forces had taken control of the main army base in the city. The United Nations has issued urgent warnings regarding reports of violence in the region.
Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began 18 months ago, Sudan has faced a severe humanitarian crisis. Infrastructure has been damaged, millions of people have fled their homes, and essential services, including health care, are under significant strain.
More than 12 million people have been displaced within Sudan and across its borders, according to UN estimates, making it one of the largest internal displacement crises globally.
Most of those displaced are women and children, who face hunger, disease, and heightened vulnerability to violence.
Aid agencies warn that Sudan’s health system is under immense pressure due to ongoing attacks. WHO has verified 88 separate assaults on health facilities and workers since the conflict began, including attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and medical supply routes.
Humanitarian organisations continue to call for a ceasefire, protection for civilians, and unrestricted access for aid convoys, but violence in the region has so far hindered such efforts.
