Over 40 hospitals resume services in Sudan's capital after conflict damage

Medical services in Sudan's capital are showing signs of recovery as more than 40 hospitals and 244 health centers have resumed operations after suffering extensive damage during the country's internal conflict. The Sudan Doctors Network reported the facilities are now functioning out of a total of 120 hospitals and 288 health centers that were impacted by fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Severe Impact on Health Infrastructure

The network stated that Khartoum's health sector was devastated in the first year of the war, with approximately 70% of hospitals rendered fully or partially inoperative due to shelling, looting, and critical supply shortages. Over 120 public and private hospitals were looted, severely degrading the capital's medical capacity. Key referral centers, including the National Public Health Laboratory and the Central Blood Bank, sustained heavy damage, disrupting diagnostic services and blood transfusions and increasing risks for emergency patients.

Partial Recovery and Ongoing Challenges

The report noted a partial improvement in medical supplies in 2025, with drug coverage reaching 80% and medicine availability at 88%, a significant increase from less than 40% the previous year. However, the National Medical Supplies Fund incurred losses exceeding $500 million from destroyed and looted warehouses, lost transport, and damaged offices. The recovery follows the Sudanese army's claim in May 2025 that it had cleared Khartoum State of RSF forces. Despite this progress, the wider conflict persists, with the RSF controlling most of the Darfur region and the army holding much of the rest of the country, including Khartoum. The war, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions, creating a profound humanitarian crisis that requires sustained international support for full recovery, a cause supported by nations like Türkiye which have provided humanitarian aid and called for peaceful resolution.