More Than 760 Attacks on Health Care Recorded in Sudan Since Conflict Began
Credit: Deccan Chronicle
At least 768 incidents of violence against health care and obstruction of medical services have been recorded across Sudan since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, according to a new report by Insecurity Insight.
The report, covering the period 24 June to 7 July 2026, states that more than two-thirds of the documented attacks were attributed to the RSF.
The violence has had a devastating impact on Sudan’s health sector, with 213 health workers killed, 15 kidnapped and 129 arrested, while 218 health facilities have been damaged during the conflict.
The report highlights 42 incidents affecting health care in Nyala, South Darfur, during the latest reporting period.
The attacks came as authorities declared a cholera outbreak in the city on 23 June 2026.
According to Insecurity Insight, health facilities in Nyala were damaged on 13 occasions, while four health workers were killed and 30 arrested. The organisation warned that the repeated attacks had significantly weakened the local health system before the cholera outbreak, reducing the availability of medical personnel, health infrastructure, disease surveillance and infection prevention measures.
The report stresses that protecting health facilities, health workers and patients is critical to ensuring an effective response to the cholera outbreak and maintaining access to essential medical services.In West Kordofan State, conditions in Al Nahud were described as “catastrophic” due to the near-total collapse of health services. Reports cited a severe shortage of medical staff and medicines, disrupted supply chains and the destruction of much of the town’s hospital infrastructure. Al Nahud has been under RSF control since May 2025.
Beyond attacks on health care, the report notes that Sudan continues to face worsening humanitarian conditions.
Between February and May 2026, an estimated 19.1 million people were projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), while by March 2026, two out of every three people in Sudan no longer had access to essential health services.
Around 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas were reported to be out of service.Insecurity Insight warned that continued attacks on civilian infrastructure are deepening the humanitarian crisis and called for stronger protection of health facilities, medical workers and humanitarian operations throughout Sudan.
