GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Tuesday called on parties to the conflict in Sudan to protect health care facilities and workers amid ongoing attacks against them.

"In Sudan, attacks on health care continue, preventing people from accessing urgently needed care. In West Kordofan, most of Al-Nuhud Hospital has been occupied, leaving the population without proper medical care," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said through the US social media company X.

Recalling the recent Doctors Without Borders' withdrawal decision from Zalingei Hospital in Central Darfur after a health worker was killed earlier in the month, Tedros said: "Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has verified 198 attacks on health care, that killed 1,735 health care workers and patients, and wounded 438."

"Attacks on health care are a violation of international humanitarian law and must stop," he said, and urged: "I call on all parties to ensure the protection of patients, health personnel and health facilities."

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023, has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced 12 million.