As conflict rages in Sudan, women medics in Khartoum, including Dr. Safaa Ali, exemplify resilience in the face of adversity, sacrificing personal safety for their patients. With hospitals under siege and healthcare workers facing violence, these dedicated professionals strive to deliver essential care amidst the chaos. Their commitment highlights both the dire state of the healthcare system and the unwavering spirit of those who serve within it.
As the war erupted in Sudan in April 2023, significant challenges besieged healthcare professionals in the capital of Khartoum. Dr. Safaa Ali was compelled to make a heart-wrenching choice between her obligations to her family and her patients. Ultimately, she chose to remain in Sudan, dedicating herself to ensuring safer birthing experiences for women, despite the toll of not seeing her family for an extended period.
Dr. Ali is one among a handful of obstetricians still practicing in Khartoum, driven by patriotism and a pledge to their profession. She, alongside other medical personnel, continues to show remarkable resilience amid bombings, colleague fatalities, and the transformation of healthcare facilities into battlegrounds, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to patient care.
Bothaina Abdelrahman, a janitor at Omdurman’s Al-Nao hospital, exemplifies the spirit of these healthcare workers. Despite the dangers, she has consistently traveled two hours daily to fulfill her duties. In a similar vein, healthcare professionals have faced accusations of collusion with foes, which has led to severe repercussions including kidnappings and fatalities among medical staff. According to the medical charity Doctors Without Borders, approximately 90% of hospitals in conflict zones nationwide have ceased operations, with many healthcare workers losing their lives since the outset of hostilities.
The Al-Nao hospital, spearheaded by Khansa al-Moatasem and her team, stands as Omdurman’s sole operational hospital amid sustained assaults. Despite facing direct hits, the facility remains a beacon of hope for the community, assisted by organizations like MSF. Dr. Ali’s intervention with paramilitary forces at a nearby maternity hospital emphasizes the perils faced by healthcare workers, particularly following repeated assaults that disrupted services.
In light of the continuing conflict, healthcare systems are deteriorating, with attacks on surviving hospitals persisting. Al-Nao hospital received further artillery fire, complicating efforts to serve an increasingly burdened populace. Meanwhile, local heroes like Dr. Fathia Abdelmajed are stepping up; she is training young healthcare providers at Al-Buluk hospital, fostering resilience among a new generation amidst dire circumstances. Her spirit underlines the fundamental gratification of service, illustrating that, despite the challenges, the commitment to care remains integral to their identity as healers.
In summary, the steadfastness and dedication exhibited by Sudanese women medics during the ongoing conflict highlight their resolve to serve despite overwhelming odds. Dr. Safaa Ali and her colleagues navigate dire circumstances, persevering in their professional duties while making profound personal sacrifices. The situation emphasizes the dire state of Sudan’s healthcare system, yet the courage and resilience of medical professionals, like Bothaina Abdelrahman and Dr. Fathia Abdelmajed, illuminate the enduring spirit of hope and service among healthcare workers.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
