By Riches Soberekon
A field hospital operated by refugees in a camp in Chad is providing vital medical care to those who have escaped the brutal conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Managed by doctors who themselves fled the violence, dedicated volunteers inside a small tent are tirelessly treating diseases like malaria and other health conditions, offering a lifeline to those in need.
Outside the tent, dozens of refugees patiently wait for their turn to see a doctor. The field hospital, run by a group of volunteers from Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, has become a beacon of support for those who have lost access to basic medical care.
Dr. Ayman Abdallah Mousa, one of the selfless volunteers, shared that while malaria cases have kept the hospital busy, they also see a significant number of patients with untreated chronic illnesses, such as diabetes.
The situation in Sudan has been described by the United Nations as a “humanitarian emergency of epic proportions.” Lack of food has led to widespread malnutrition, while the absence of basic services has resulted in preventable deaths. Adding to the dire circumstances, medical facilities have been targeted and looted, leaving people without essential healthcare.
While the field hospital has been a lifeline for many, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Mahassen Abdallah, a Sudanese refugee, expressed concern over the lack of access to a gynecologist for women. Eissa Adam Eissa, another displaced Sudanese refugee, shared his experience of being uprooted from Geneina to Adre in Chad due to the ongoing war, emphasizing the lack of medical care in their current situation.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April, pitting the military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Daglo. The fighting has caused immense suffering and displacement, with countless lives affected.