Health Care system's demise in a single city due to war: An in-depth analysis

Khartoum, Sudan: A Struggling City in the Grip of Humanitarian Disaster

In a crowded hospital ward at Al Buluk Pediatric Hospital in Omdurman, 30-year-old Alawiya Zakaria cradles her ailing 1-year-old daughter, Sabba. The child's emaciated form, with protruding bones, swollen limbs, and hollow eyes, is a chilling testament to the severe malnutrition plaguing the region.

Zakaria's family lived in Khartoum, the capital city, where food scarcity was a daily struggle. Before walking the grueling four-hour journey to Omdurman, they mere subsisted on meager servings of lentils once or twice a day. Community kitchens, which were initially a lifeline, were forced to close due to funding cuts from organizations like USAID and skyrocketing food prices caused by inflation.

In the past six months, reports surfaced of at least 13 child deaths from malnutrition in Zakaria's neighborhood. With no functioning hospitals nearby and the escalating Sudanese civil war, she felt helpless and desperate.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which commenced in April 2023, has led to an unparalleled humanitarian tragedy in one Africa's largest countries. Khartoum, which once boasted nearly 100 public and private medical facilities, as per the Khartoum State Government, now has none operational. With the city's infrastructure left in ruins and numerous medical establishments either shut down or destroyed, basic healthcare is unattainable for many.

The U.N. estimates that over 600,000 people in Sudan are currently suffering from famine, a number expected to rise. The sheer scale of this crisis ranks it as the worst famine the world has witnessed in decades. Malnutrition, among both children and adults, is not merely a byproduct of ongoing war—it's a weapon, wielded by both sides in the conflict as they restrict or withhold aid to territories they control.

NPR reported that Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Khartoum, once a beacon of medical care, now lies in ruins. Damage inflicted by artillery blasts and gunfire has rendered the hospital uninhabitable, with its wards littered with debris, broken glass, and trash, including cardboard packages of Serbian-made ammunition.

Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of systemic sexual violence, torture, and denying or limiting movement in and out of the capital. Despite these allegations, the RSF occupied the hospital for months, using it as a base of operations, cooking there, and even dragging patient beds into makeshift camps.

In the absence of proper healthcare in Khartoum, countless residents have been left to suffer without access to urgent medical attention. Volunteer-run organizations like the Emergency Response Rooms (ERR) have emerged as a vital lifeline, providing medical aid, counseling services, and community kitchens. However, even their efforts have fallen short, with the desperate need for basic medical services claiming numerous lives.

Duaa Tariq, a Khartoum volunteer with ERR, witnessed the tragic reality of the city's conditions firsthand. Despite the organization's efforts to provide food and medical assistance, Tariq's close friend "Auntie Magda" passed away in January from complications due to malnutrition.

With international aid limited and travel restricted due to ongoing conflict, many have sought refuge in cities like Omdurman, searching for makeshift medical facilities and rudimentary food aid. For Sabba, a rare ray of hope came in the form of Al Buluk Hospital, which remains open despite being frequently struck by artillery.

Dr. Ahmed Khojeli, director of Al Buluk, spoke to NPR of the hospital's overburdened wards. With patient numbers surging daily, average admissions have reached the 80s and 90s, and at times, even 100. The hospital's limited resources struggle to care for the vast influx of patients, many of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition.

This week, authorities announced that the entire capital region, including Khartoum, had officially been recaptured by the Sudanese army. As rebuilding efforts continue amid the backdrop of escalating drone strikes, it remains to be seen whether the situation will improve for the people of Khartoum and beyond.

Amidst the overburdened wards of Al Buluk Hospital, government officials and community leaders discuss strategies for workplace-wellness during the humanitarian crisis.
The severe malnutrition prevalent in Khartoum highlights the urgent need for medical research into chronic diseases, such as undernourished children's recovery and long-term health effects.
To combat the escalating health issues in Khartoum, pharmaceutical industries cooperate with environmental science to develop sustainable medical supplies for relieving respiratory conditions and digestive health.
Local eye-health clinics struggle to manage the surge in patients due to the critical eye care needs caused by malnutrition, with hearing tests and treatments following close behind.
As mental-health services become a crucial aspect of humanitarian aid, international collaboration with the industry and medicare provides resources for relieving stress and anxiety among the affected community.
In mens-health clinics across Khartoum, public awareness campaigns about managing weight and cardiovascular health gain traction, advising on diet and fitness-and-exercise routines.
With the rise in skin-conditions due to malnutrition and unsanitary living conditions, skin-care products and therapies-and-treatments become increasingly important elements of community wellness programs.
As the crisis deepens, nutrition experts offer guidance on affordable, locally-sourced foods, emphasizing their role in reducing the impact of aging and improving environmental-science practices.
Womens-health clinics emphasize the importance of prenatal care and family planning during the crisis, with many referring to parenting resources available through personal-finance workshops and community organizations.
In an attempt to alleviate the burden on hospitals, home-and-garden initiatives emerge, encouraging residents to cultivate their own food sources through sustainable agriculture methods.
As rebuilding efforts commence, finance organizations and wealth-management services provide resources for city infrastructure investments, focusing on bolstering Khartoum's healthcare industry.
The lack of reliable information presents challenges for the city's digital communications, necessitating cybersecurity measures for safe and secure data computing.
The urgency of the crisis in Khartoum highlights the need for rapid, innovative solutions in lifestyle sectors, ranging from energy-efficient gadgets to affordable home solutions.
Fashion-and-beauty industry leaders collaborate with health-and-wellness organizations to develop sustainable and accessible clothing and products, addressing skin-conditions and overall well-being.
At food-and-drink establishments in Khartoum, chefs incorporate nutritional education into their cooking, ensuring that the local community has access to vital nutrition and wellness advice.
Investors and wealth-management experts offer strategic planning for financial stability, providing resources for those seeking to manage their wealth amidst ongoing crises.
Home-security systems become essential for protecting households in Khartoum, with companies offering financing options for low-income families.
As the crisis continues, emotional support groups form, addressing mental-health concerns and offering solace for those grieving the loss of loved ones.
In the face of adversity, faith-based organizations provide support, cultivating resilience and hope for the community through prayer and spiritual guidance.
Creative outlets, such as arts-and-crafts workshops, children's storytimes, and music therapy sessions become important elements of mental-health and wellness programs.
The crisis sparks a rise in community collaborations, focusing on public health awareness and insurance options through medicare to ensure access to therapies-and-treatments.
To combat the onslaught of cyber threats amidst the crisis, education and awareness campaigns about cybersecurity best practices become integral components of digital literacy programs.
Local pet veterinarians, recognizing the critical need for affordable care, offer free or reduced-cost treatments for animals, helping preserve the urban ecosystem and providing companionship for people displaced by the conflict.
In an attempt to fund relief efforts and support the local economy, authorities explore tourism opportunities, developing sustainable travel packages for visitors wishing to contribute to the city's rebuilding efforts.
As the city continues to grapple with climate change and resource scarcity, environmental-science organizations offer solutions for sustainable agriculture and waste management.
Amidst the upheaval, fashion designers showcase collections that merge traditional Sudanese styles with contemporary, eco-friendly materials, promoting sustainability and cultural heritage.
The crisis serves as a catalyst for innovation in the technology sector, with local artists, designers, and developers collaborating on projects addressing community needs, such as health-monitoring devices and digital communication tools.
With the ongoing crisis, social media platforms introduce resources for virtual mental-health support, allowing those displaced or isolated to connect and find comfort amidst the chaos.