Maternal Care in Darfur: Sudan’s Efforts Amidst Conflict and Displacement 13 July 2026, Port Sudan, Sudan – Amidst the turmoil of conflict in Darfur, Mariam Abkar Ibrahim, a 24-year-old displaced mother of four, found solace in the WHO-supported Garsila Hospital. Her family was forced from their village in 2024 as the conflict escalated, leading to a life of limited resources and health care access. With her pregnancy announced, hope was mixed with fear of accessing necessary prenatal and delivery care.
The WHO’s intervention in the rehabilitation of the hospital, supported by EU ECHO funding, proved to be a beacon of hope for Mariam. Health workers closely monitored her high-risk pregnancy, which was revealed to be triplet pregnancy during an ultrasound.
As Mariam’s labor contractions became persistent, her family arranged transport to the hospital. There, the skilled medical team ensured the safe delivery of her three healthy babies. Mariam’s story, one of many in Sudan’s IDP camps, illustrates the vital role that health services play in conflict-affected regions.
Sudan’s maternal mortality ratio is alarmingly high at 256 deaths per 100,000 live births, far exceeding the global target.
The ongoing conflict has severely restricted access to maternal and child health services, with only 63% of health facilities functioning, and about 75% of these offering antenatal care with support from on-the-ground partners. Gisma Hassan Awad, the Acting Medical Director of Garsila Hospital, expressed gratitude for the WHO and Sudan Family Planning Association’s support.
The EU ECHO — funded project not only rehabilitated the hospital but also enhanced its capacity to deliver essential health services amidst the conflict. WHO, in collaboration with partners like the Sudan Family Planning Association, has supported the operation of health facilities across Sudan. This includes 10 hospitals, 15 primary health care centers, and 2 mobile clinics in 9 states, providing over 320,000 consultations, including maternal and surgical services, in the past six months.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
