Surge in Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates in South Darfur, Sudan: MSF

A severe health crisis is unfolding in South Darfur, Sudan, where conflict and displacement have led to a shocking rise in maternal and infant mortality rates, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), TRTWorld revealed yesterday.

The charity reported 46 maternal deaths and 48 newborn fatalities from sepsis in two hospitals it supports between January and August 2023.

MSF’s findings reveal that about one-third of children under two screened in August were acutely malnourished, surpassing the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold. More than 8% of these children are suffering from severe acute malnourishment, a significant contributor to mortality.

Dr. Gillian Burkhardt, MSF’s sexual and reproductive health manager, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “Newborn babies, pregnant women, and new mothers are dying in shocking numbers.” The ongoing conflict between military factions since April 2022 has forced women to give birth in unsanitary conditions, limiting access to healthcare.

With South Darfur hosting the highest number of displaced individuals in Sudan, humanitarian efforts have been severely hampered. The UN has acknowledged challenges in providing aid due to underfunding and insecurity. MSF urged the United Nations to “act decisively” to prevent further loss of life, as over 10 million people have been displaced, and famine risks loom in several regions, including North Darfur’s Zamzam camp.