ALBAWABA - A report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), revealed that mothers and children are dying at an alarming rate in South Darfur of preventable conditions, due to lack of needed health services.
According to an MSF assessment, South Darfur, Sudan, is experiencing one of the world's greatest maternal and child health disasters.
Pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women, as well as infants, are dying from avoidable illnesses because their health demands surpass MSF's ability to respond appropriately. A screening of children for malnutrition revealed rates that were above emergency limits.
Titled "Driven to Oblivion: The Toll of Conflict and Neglect on the Health of Mothers and Children in South Darfur", the report reveals that the number of maternal deaths in just two MSF-supported hospitals in South Darfur between January and August will be more than 7% of the total number of maternal deaths in all MSF facilities worldwide in 2023.
Dr. Gillian Burkhardt, MSF sexual and reproductive health activity manager speaking in Nyala, South Darfur, stated: "Multiple health emergencies are happening simultaneously with almost no international response from the UN and others".
"Newborn babies, pregnant women, and new mothers are dying in shocking numbers. And so many of these deaths are due to preventable conditions, but almost everything has broken down," Dr. Burkhardt added.
MSF personnel offer obstetric treatment and other services at the Nyala Teaching and Kas Rural hospitals in South Darfur. From January to August, there were 46 maternal deaths were recorded there.
Due to the lack of well-maintained medical facilities and the high expense of transportation, many women are admitted to hospitals in vital condition. After admission, the first 24 hours were when almost 78% of these 46 deaths happened.
