NYALA – Medical personnel in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, continue to face threats, arbitrary arrests and abductions amid worsening shortages of medicines and specialist staff, raising concerns over the possible collapse of the city’s remaining healthcare services.
A medical source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Sudan Now that doctors and healthcare workers have been subjected to repeated threats, abductions and arbitrary arrests in recent days, while no authority has provided effective protection. The source said several doctors have already left the state, with others preparing to do the same after losing confidence in their safety.
According to the source, Lt. Col. Al-Tayeb Qija, an officer affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led campaigns targeting healthcare workers in Nyala. The source alleged that he was behind the arrest of Dr. Ibrahim Tawila, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, and Dr. Al-Mu’tazz six days ago.
The source further alleged that the same officer had pursued pharmacists working along Cinema Street, with some reportedly abducted and subjected to extortion and coercion.
The source said the campaign against healthcare workers extends beyond doctors and pharmacists and is increasingly affecting civilians’ access to medical care. He warned that the continued departure of medical personnel would leave hospitals without specialist doctors and qualified healthcare workers.
Nyala has remained under RSF control since late 2023 and has become one of the largest urban centers affected by Sudan’s conflict. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that insecurity, shortages of medicines and restrictions on humanitarian operations have pushed healthcare services in the city to critical levels.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has severely disrupted Sudan’s health system. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that attacks on healthcare facilities, shortages of medical supplies and the displacement of health workers have left millions of people with limited access to essential medical services.
The medical source warned that continued targeting of healthcare personnel could push Nyala’s health sector toward total collapse, calling for an immediate end to the violations and stronger protection for doctors and healthcare workers to ensure the continuation of medical services.
