Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Heavy shelling in Omdurman claims 30 civilian lives last November

Damage caused by indiscriminate shelling in Omdurman, on August 29, 2024

December 17, 2024 (OMDURMAN) – Indiscriminate shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed 30 civilians and wounded 643 others in Omdurman in November, a Khartoum state health ministry official revealed on Tuesday.

The RSF has been carrying out heavy artillery attacks on several areas in Khartoum state, causing deaths and injuries.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune, the director general of the health ministry in Khartoum state, Fath al-Rahman Mohamed al-Amin, acknowledged the challenges facing the health sector, including indiscriminate shelling by the RSF and its continuous and systematic targeting of hospitals, which endangers the lives of patients and medical personnel.

“The number of casualties resulting from the war events during November reached 30 dead and 643 wounded,” he said.

The old neighbourhoods of Omdurman and the Karari locality north of Omdurman are subjected to repeated shelling by the RSF stationed in Khartoum Bahri and some areas west and south of Omdurman.

Al-Amin called on the RSF to stop targeting civilians and the health sector as they are not related to political or military issues or the war.

The official confirmed that the Ministry of Health has taken several steps to improve performance in Khartoum hospitals, including forming an advisory committee for the health sector in Sudan. The committee has recruited health experts from various universities as part of strategic planning based on real information and figures of what was damaged during the war. It has also identified the need for facilities, equipment, and personnel for the recovery of the health sector.

He stressed the involvement of the private sector and national experts in preparing workshops under the auspices of the Governor of Khartoum State, the Federal Minister of Health, and the Sovereign Council.

Al-Amin added that some hospitals and health centres have been operated with state and federal efforts, and specialized quality services have been introduced.

He stressed the need for the Federal Ministry of Health to support free programs and motivate and rehabilitate health cadres in Khartoum state.

He pointed to the current abundance of personnel working in the Ministry of Health and temporary staff from national cadres, especially those who provided their support and assistance to cover hospitals without charge.