GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said the organization is "appalled and deeply shocked" by reports of the killing of more than 460 patients and companions at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El-Fasher, Sudan, following recent attacks and the abduction of health workers.

In a statement shared on US social media company X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that prior to this latest attack, the WHO had verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan since the conflict began in April 2023, resulting in 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries among health workers and patients.

He added that 49 of these attacks occurred this year alone, killing 966 people.

"All attacks on health care must stop immediately and unconditionally," the WHO chief said, stressing that "all patients, health personnel and health facilities must be protected under International Humanitarian Law."

He ended his statement by calling for a ceasefire.