A delegation of World Health Organization and United Nations officials has toured hospitals and medical facilities in Nyala, South Darfur, as local health authorities seek greater international support for a health system strained by years of war.
Peace Government Health Undersecretary Amin Falati met the WHO representative in Sudan and a senior UN humanitarian official in Nyala to discuss the humanitarian and health situation, shortages facing medical institutions and ways of strengthening international assistance.
Health officials from both South and North Darfur also attended the meeting, according to local Sudanese media.
Following the talks, the delegation carried out a field visit to Nyala Teaching Hospital, the children’s emergency hospital, Nyala Specialist Hospital, a dialysis centre, the maternity hospital and the National Health Laboratory.
The officials inspected conditions at the facilities and discussed their most urgent requirements, including measures needed to maintain and expand medical services.
The visit was aimed at identifying priorities on the ground and improving coordination between health authorities, UN agencies and international partners, according to the reports.
The engagement comes as Sudan’s health sector continues to suffer severe disruption from the war.
The WHO said in April that 37% of health facilities across Sudan remained non-functional, with conflict, attacks on healthcare, displacement and shortages of medicines, equipment, personnel and funding severely limiting access to treatment.
Darfur and Kordofan have been particularly affected by fighting and restrictions on the movement of humanitarian supplies.
Nyala has emerged as the administrative centre of the Peace Government, while its health authorities have sought to expand cooperation with international humanitarian organisations operating in areas under its control.
The latest visit provides international agencies with a direct assessment of the condition of some of Nyala’s principal medical facilities and their immediate requirements.
