Since the eruption of armed conflict in Khartoum on April 15, 2023, involving the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Sudan’s maternal health crisis has reached critical levels. The violence has severely disrupted the accessibility, quality, and availability of essential maternal health services, leaving over 1.1 million pregnant Sudanese women in urgent need of care.
The destruction of hospitals and health centers, a shortage of medical supplies, and continuous attacks on medical personnel and facilities have crippled crucial maternal health services, including antenatal care, safe deliveries, and postnatal care. Many expectant mothers are forced to undertake arduous journeys to access care, endangering their health and that of their babies. Those unable to travel are left with no choice but to give birth at home without skilled medical assistance, increasing the risks of complications like sepsis, hemorrhage, and obstructed labor. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women and newborns now find themselves among the most vulnerable and at great risk.
The conflict has not only disrupted maternal health care but has also left insufficient resources to care for the rising number of preterm babies resulting from the heightened insecurity, stress, and malnutrition experienced by pregnant women. Premature birth can lead to lifelong developmental issues in infants. Delayed access to emergency obstetric care and giving birth in unsanitary conditions could further worsen Sudan’s already alarming rates of infant and maternal mortality, with the UN reporting 295 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 54.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
In addition to the physical challenges, pregnant women in Sudan are grappling with the profound psychological consequences of conflict. The trauma inflicted by the conflict, including the sounds of gunfire and artillery, has instilled fear, panic, and anxiety among this vulnerable group. Furthermore, displacement, loss of loved ones, and financial hardships have taken a severe toll on maternal mental health, contributing to heightened psychological stress. The widespread sexual and gender-based violence stemming from the conflict further compounds the mental health challenges faced by pregnant women.
Humanitarian organizations and the international community must step up their efforts to address the urgent health needs of pregnant women in Sudan. These initiatives should encompass emergency healthcare, nutritional support, psychosocial assistance, and the assurance of access to clean water and sanitation facilities. A crucial long-term solution lies in urging the warring factions to renounce lawlessness and work toward restoring order in this war-torn African nation, particularly for the well-being of Sudan’s pregnant women and their unborn children.
