ISTANBUL

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Sunday announced that an attack on a hospital located in Dain, the capital of Sudan's East Darfur state, claimed at least 64 lives, including children, and injured 89 others.

"WHO has verified yet another attack on health care in #Sudan. This time, Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, was struck, killing at least 64 people, including 13 children, two female nurses, one male doctor, and multiple patients," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on US-based social media company X.

He said the death toll from 213 attacks on healthcare facilities has climbed to 2,036 over the past nearly three years.

"Beyond the devastating human toll, attacks on health care have immediate and long-term consequences for communities already in desperate need of both emergency and routine medical services.

"Al Deain Teaching Hospital is currently non-functional due to the extensive damage caused by the attack, resulting in a critical interruption of essential medical services," Tedros said.

He noted that the WHO is supporting its local partners to increase capacity at other health facilities in the region, including through the distribution of trauma care supplies and essential medicines.

"Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians," Tedros warned.