This article discusses the sacrifices made by Sudanese women medics, particularly Dr. Safaa Ali, who have remained dedicated to their patients amidst the ongoing conflict in Khartoum. The article highlights their resilience in operating in damaged hospitals, facing severe safety threats, and adapting to the challenging conditions by providing mobile clinics. It emphasizes the dire consequences of the war on healthcare, detailing the closure of hospitals and the impact on medical personnel.
In Omdurman, Sudan, as fighting erupted in April 2023, Dr. Safaa Ali faced a heart-wrenching dilemma: stay with her patients or join her family fleeing to Egypt. Ultimately, her decision to remain with her patients has separated her from her family, and she has not seen them since. Dr. Ali continues to work as one of the last obstetricians in Khartoum, deeply committed to ensuring safe births for women despite the ongoing conflict.
Despite severe challenges, the medical staff remaining in Omdurman persist in their duties, operating under dire circumstances. Hospitals have been bombed, colleagues have become casualties, and medical facilities have become battlegrounds. The unwavering dedication of doctors, nurses, and support staff allows them to provide care to their patients daily, despite the violence surrounding them.
Bothaina Abdelrahman, a janitor at Omdurman’s Al-Nao hospital, has not missed work since the war began, walking four hours daily to fulfill her responsibilities. Health professionals are under constant threat, accused by combatants of assisting enemies, resulting in numerous attacks, kidnappings, and fatalities among medical workers. As reported, a significant number of hospitals have closed due to the conflict, with health organizations noting over a hundred attacks on healthcare facilities.
Khansa al-Moatasem leads the nursing team at Al-Nao hospital, the only facility in Omdurman that has remained functional throughout the war, despite suffering attacks. She expresses a profound commitment to the institution, ensuring that every effort is made for patient care. Al-Nao has been hit multiple times, emphasizing the perilous environment that healthcare providers operate in.
Dr. Ali bravely faced armed groups to advocate for the integrity of the women’s hospital; however, it suffered further assaults, resulting in a forced closure. She has since adapted by creating mobile clinics and temporary maternity services at Al-Nao following the temporary reopening of another hospital.
With the recent recapture of significant areas in Omdurman, there is a flicker of normality, yet hospitals remain a target for ongoing attacks. Volunteers from local networks provide essential support to the medical staff still working under trying conditions. Dr. Fathia Abdelmajed has taken on a mentoring role at Al-Buluk hospital, sharing her vast experience with young healthcare workers battling against the impacts of war. For her, serving in this capacity is profoundly rewarding, marking a significant point in her career.
The unwavering dedication of medical professionals in Omdurman, Sudan, amidst ongoing conflict highlights the profound sacrifices made in the name of healthcare. Individuals like Dr. Safaa Ali and bothaina Abdelrahman exemplify exceptional resilience in their commitment to patient care, despite facing immense personal and professional challenges. Their stories shed light on the dire state of healthcare in conflict zones, with significant losses in personnel and facilities, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian support and protection for medical staff.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
