January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the severe and sustained impact of Sudan’s protracted conflict on the country’s already fragile health system, revealing that repeated attacks on medical infrastructure have resulted in nearly 1,900 deaths and hundreds of injuries since violence erupted more than 1,000 days ago.
In a statement marking the conflict’s milestone of over 1,000 days of violence, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that at least 201 verified attacks on health care facilities had been recorded since fighting began on April 15, 2023, leaving nearly 1,900 people dead and about 490 injured figures that include patients, health workers and others present during assaults on hospitals and clinics.
The conflict, primarily driven by clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated civilian life and public services. WHO highlights that fewer than 65 per cent of health facilities remain operational, with many only partially functioning due to damage, shortage of supplies, and security barriers that prevent workers and patients from reaching care.
Repeated violence targeting medical infrastructure has crippled basic health service delivery across Sudan, worsening outbreaks of disease and limiting treatment for conditions ranging from chronic illnesses to severe malnutrition. WHO says the collapse of health care has left millions vulnerable, exacerbating what the agency calls one of the most severe humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
Dr. Tedros condemned the attacks as violations of international humanitarian law and a major obstacle to delivering lifesaving care. “This should not continue into 2026,” he said in his remarks, urging warring parties to protect civilians and ensure safe, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout the country.
Humanitarian partners on the ground report that repeated targeting and occupation of hospitals, along with tight security constraints in conflict zones such as Darfur and Kordofan, make it increasingly difficult for aid organisations to respond to emergencies or maintain essential health services. The destruction and partial shutdown of facilities have forced patients to travel long distances for care or go without treatment entirely.
International appeals through the United Nations and WHO have stressed the urgency of ceasing attacks on health care, expanding humanitarian corridors, and delivering medical supplies to underserved communities. With millions of people requiring urgent health assistance and basic services under threat, global health leaders warn that without immediate action and protection of health infrastructure, Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe could deepen further.