Al Fashir – The Sudan Doctors Network said that 25 medical personnel have been killed in North Darfur State since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, while the fate of 20 doctors, including four women doctors, remains unknown in the city of Al Fashir.
The network said in a report that the victims included physicians, medical specialists, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare workers. It noted that the deaths resulted from targeted killings, shelling, and gunfire, adding that the missing doctors have been unaccounted for since the RSF overran the city of Al Fashir.
The report comes amid abuses documented by the United Nations and international human rights organizations following the RSF takeover of Al Fashir. These reports cited attacks targeting civilians, healthcare facilities, and medical personnel. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan said that some of the violations may amount to war crimes and noted evidence suggesting acts bearing the hallmarks of genocide.
The Sudan Doctors Network called on the RSF to disclose the whereabouts of the detained doctors and allow healthcare workers to carry out their duties free from attacks and violations. It stressed that the loss of these medical professionals represents a major blow to the healthcare system in North Darfur.
According to the report, more than 235 medical personnel have been killed or reported missing since the outbreak of the war in Sudan, as healthcare services continue to deteriorate across conflict-affected areas and medical facilities sustain extensive damage.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for the protection of healthcare workers and medical facilities, stressing that targeting them or obstructing their work constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, calls continue for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible for violations committed against civilians and medical personnel in Sudan.
