Doctors Perform Life-Saving Surgeries Amid Bombardment in Darfur's Last Operating Hospital

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In el-Fasher, Sudan, brave medical professionals are continuing their life-saving work in the face of relentless shelling, as the city remains under siege. The Saudi Hospital, the only functioning medical facility in North Darfur with surgical capability, has recently experienced its highest casualty numbers since the beginning of the conflict, with 28 fatalities and over 50 injuries reported among patients and staff in just the past month.

Dr. Mustafa Ali Abdulrahman Ibo, a key member of the surgical team, recounted a particularly harrowing day when the team was forced to perform an emergency caesarean section during an artillery attack. The chaos left the hospital in darkness, with debris from a nearby explosion compromising the sterility of the operating room. Despite the risks, the team successfully delivered a child, later capturing a photo that they feared might be their last.

Conditions continue to deteriorate in el-Fasher, where the conflict between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced over 12 million people, causing widespread humanitarian crises. The United Nations reports that more than 780 civilians have died due to ongoing violence in the region. Other hospitals have been forced to shut down, leaving the Saudi Hospital to serve the entire populace, including those residing in the Zamzam refugee camp, where severe hunger is prevalent.

Medical staff are facing immense pressure, with shortages of supplies and increasing attacks on their operations. Humanitarian groups, including Médecins Sans Frontières, have condemned the violence against medical services, calling for adherence to international humanitarian laws.

As the situation escalates, local medical professionals express their commitment to continue aiding the wounded, despite the overwhelming odds they face. Dr. Ibo emphasized their belief in their mission, stating, "Our souls refused to abandon the people of this city," highlighting the resilience of the medical team in the midst of chaos.

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