Pregnant Women Dying in Shocking Numbers in South Darfur

MSF urged the United Nations to act decisively to prevent further loss of life in Darfur. Reuters

One of the worst maternal and child health emergencies in the world is unfolding in South Darfur, Sudan, according to a report released by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Wednesday.

“Pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women, as well as children, are dying from preventable conditions as their health needs far exceed what MSF can respond to,” it said.

“The toll of conflict and neglect on the health of mothers and children in South Darfur reveals the number of maternal deaths in just two MSF-supported hospitals in South Darfur between January and August to be more than seven percent of the total number of maternal deaths in all MSF facilities worldwide in 2023,” said the report.

“A screening of children for malnutrition also found rates well beyond emergency thresholds,” it added.

MSF urged the United Nations to act decisively to prevent further loss of life in Darfur.

“The UN must accelerate the return of UN staff and agencies to Darfur and leverage all available resources and political influence to ensure that aid reaches those in need,” it said. “Only a coordinated international response, supported by robust funding and unyielding pressure on the warring parties, can avert mass starvation and alleviate the suffering of millions.”

“This is a crisis unlike any other I have seen in my career,” said Dr. Gillian Burkhardt, MSF sexual and reproductive health activity manager speaking in Nyala, South Darfur. “Multiple health emergencies are happening simultaneously with almost no international response from the UN and others. Newborn babies, pregnant women, and new mothers are dying in shocking numbers. And so many of these deaths are due to preventable conditions, but almost everything has broken down.”

From January to August in South Darfur, there were 46 maternal deaths in Nyala Teaching and Kas Rural hospitals, where MSF teams provide obstetric care and other services.

The report added that from January to June, 48 newborns died from sepsis in the same hospitals, meaning one in five newborns with sepsis did not survive.