Military attacks on health workers in Sudan

Abstract

Sudan's fragile transitional govern-ment was rocked by a military coup on Oct 25, 2021. Led by lieutenant general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the military have brutally quashed peace-ful protesters of the coup, killing many in months since. Sudan faces deep uncertainty as millions of people march for civilian rule while the military coup leaders cling to power. As physicians, we are appalled by the military's use of violence against hospitals, health workers, and patients since October's coup. Their actions are pushing Sudan towards a deepening health crisis, which is compounded by COVID-19 and refugees fleeing conflict in Ethiopia. Many physicians have been arrested. Tear gas has been used to clear hospitals of patients injured during protests,1ReliefWebViolence against or obstruction of health care in Sudan since the military coup on Oct 25 (17–30 Nov 2021), Sudan.https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/violence-against-or-obstruction-health-care-sudan-military-coup-october-25-17-30Date: 2021Date accessed: January 11, 2022Google Scholar and according to WHO's surveillance system for attacks on health care, peaceful protesters have been injured by live ammunition have been arrested at the bedside. The killing of health workers and attacks on hospitals in Sudan is not new. Violent attacks by the military against hospitals were a feature of crackdowns during the initial protests that eventually overthrew the three decade military dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir in 2019.2Osman M Hospitals attacked in Khartoum, Sudan.Lancet. 2019; 393: 646Google Scholar The Janjaweed, now integrated into the Sudanese military, perpetrated the genocide in Darfur that started in 2003, which included the killing of humanitarian aid workers.3UN NewsSudan: UN field workers report fresh attacks by Janjaweed militias in Darfur.https://news.un.org/en/story/2004/06/107312-sudan-un-field-workers-report-fresh-attacks-janjaweed-militias-darfurDate: 2004Date accessed: January 11, 2022Google Scholar Beyond the direct attacks on health workers and patients, the actions of the military have stalled the hard-earned progress made between Sudan and international partners in the past 2 years. Sudan was imminently due to receive US$700 million in support from the USA; and aid that was promised for the health sector has now been paused.4Lee M US condemns Sudan coup, suspends $700 million in aid. Associated Press, 2021https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-africa-sudan-khartoum-96e7b33b6e1045fce01189e81b36814aDate accessed: January 11, 2022Google Scholar Despite the deep political challenges, the international community has a crucial role to play in protecting Sudan's health workers and infra-structure. First, the international community must unequivocally condemn the attacks on hospitals, health workers, patients, and peaceful civilian protesters. Second, perpetrators of attacks must be held accountable, and any future political agreements must address the crimes perpetrated by the military. Finally, resources must be channelled urgently to support our crumbling health system. The international community should stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people and their legitimate demands and aspirations, honouring the sacrifices that they continue to make. The international community should put all the pressure possible on the regional and international players whose interference risks derailing the democratic transition. Now entering its fourth year, the peaceful, democratic movement presents us with countless examples of courage and resilience. The grass roots democratic organisations that have emerged during the revolution have become cemented within the fabric of Sudanese civil society, furthering the causes of freedom, peace, and justice. Despite war-like conditions, health workers across Sudan continue to put their lives at risk to care for their patients. We must not normalise the gross violations by the military. This online publication has been corrected. The corrected version first appeared at thelancet.com on March 10, 2022 This online publication has been corrected. The corrected version first appeared at thelancet.com on March 10, 2022 We declare no competing interests. Hospitals attacked in Khartoum, SudanThe Lancet recently highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Sudan (Jan 19, p 199).1 In the past weeks, tens of thousands of people across Sudan have been reported to have taken to the streets, calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir's 30-year rule.2 According to credible reports received by Amnesty International, security forces had killed 37 protestors by Dec 24, 2018.3 The violent crackdown escalated, with security forces reportedly attacking hospitals in Omdurman on Jan 9, 2019, and Bahri on Jan 13, 2019. Full-Text PDF Department of ErrorOsman M, Alassam MN. Military attacks on health workers in Sudan. Lancet 2022; 399: 1045—In this Correspondence, references have been corrected. This correction has been made to the online version as of March 10, 2022 and the print version is correct. Full-Text PDF