War in Sudan: Children make up 16% of casualties at Bashair hospital

In Sudan, the toll of ongoing conflict is devastating, particularly for the country’s youngest citizens. Since the beginning of 2024, approximately 16% of the war casualties treated at Bashair University Hospital, located in the south of Khartoum, are children under the age of 15.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported a significant surge in child casualties, with many young patients arriving with severe injuries caused by bullets, explosions, and shrapnel.

In addition to the war injuries, the hospital is seeing a disturbing rise in cases of severe malnutrition among children, a trend that is alarming medical teams working on the ground.

Bashair Hospital is one of the few medical facilities still operational in the region.

Since the escalation of violence, it has treated over 4,214 patients suffering from war-related trauma, including gunshot wounds, bombings, and blast injuries.

The hospital provides emergency care, surgeries, and maternal health services, all while facing incredibly difficult circumstances due to the ongoing conflict.

Blocked Aid and Increasing Malnutrition

Among the young patients treated is Riyad, an 18-month-old boy who was struck by a stray bullet while sleeping in his family’s home.

Dr. Moeen, head of MSF’s medical team, described the grim situation: “Riyad was hit in the right flank, and we worked for four hours to stabilize him.

His blood loss was critical, and his chances of survival were 50%.

Despite our best efforts, the bullet remained lodged in his chest as we lack advanced surgical capabilities at the hospital.”

Compounding these difficulties, Bashair Hospital has been severely hampered by a blockade that has made it nearly impossible to receive essential surgical supplies since October 2023.

Transporting patients out of the area has also become increasingly perilous as roads are either destroyed or too dangerous due to ongoing fighting.

As a result, treatments for severe burns, a growing concern due to bombings targeting civilians, are also hindered.

The worsening malnutrition crisis is equally concerning. From October 19 to November 8, 4,186 women and children were screened for malnutrition at Bashair.

The results were staggering: 1,500 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 400 cases of moderate malnutrition were diagnosed, indicating a rapidly deteriorating situation.

“The closure of specialized centers has made it impossible to meet many critical needs,” said Dr. Moeen, highlighting the dire straits the medical teams are facing.

A Cry for Urgent Action

MSF’s Emergency Coordinator, Claire San Filippo, expressed her deep concern over the ongoing crisis: “The people of Khartoum are living a nightmare, and the children are the main victims of this conflict.”

She called on all parties involved in the fighting to respect the lives of civilians and to ensure unhindered access for medical supplies to hospitals across the country.

As the violence continues, the humanitarian needs are growing at an alarming rate. Medical teams already overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis are fearing an even worse future if immediate action is not taken to protect vulnerable populations, especially the children who are bearing the brunt of this brutal war.