The WHO raises the death toll to 270 and more than 2,600 injured in Sudan

MADRID, 18 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has raised the death toll to 270 and more than 2,600 wounded in the clashes between the Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ( RSF) in Sudan.

So far, 270 people have been killed and more than 2,600 injured. In addition, three workers from the World Food Program (WFP) have died, he specified at a press conference. The most intense fighting is currently taking place in Khartoum, the country's capital.

"Health care centers and workers should never be targeted, especially in a situation like this, where there are thousands of civilians who need access to emergency care," he said from Geneva, Switzerland.

The head of the WHO has assured that the situation in Sudan is "very worrying" and has condemned "all the loss of human life". "We stand in solidarity with our brothers in Sudan," he added in this regard.

Tedros has pointed out that the restriction on movement in Sudan is making it difficult "access for health personnel and ambulances to health centers", which is "putting more lives in danger". Similarly, the supplies that the WHO distributed to health centers before this recent escalation of the conflict "have been exhausted."

"Khartoum hospitals receiving wounded civilians report shortages of medical personnel and vital medical supplies. Fuel shortages for hospital generators, as well as water and electricity cuts, are also affecting the operation of health facilities And there are worrying reports about the looting of some health facilities and the use of others for military purposes," he added.

In the same way, it has reported that "some hospitals are already closed, or on the verge of closing, due to the attacks and the lack of medical personnel and supplies."

For this reason, Tedros has asked the parties to the conflict to "comply with their obligations under international law" and guarantee "unrestricted and safe access to health centers for the wounded and all people who need medical attention."

In addition, he has urged that they "heed the calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, silence the guns and work for a peaceful resolution."

Regarding the Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea, Tedros has reported that in the last week two health workers who had contracted the virus have been released from a WHO-supported treatment center.

Thus, there are now a total of 16 laboratory-confirmed Marburg cases, of which 11 have died. There have also been 23 probable cases reported since the outbreak was declared on February 13. The most affected district is Bata, in Litoral province, where nine cases have been reported.

According to WHO figures, this Tuesday a new case was reported in a Bata health worker who was under observation due to exposure of a previous case. The case was detected the same day as the onset of the disease and antiviral treatment was administered following the government protocol, which is supported by the WHO.

Tedros has called on all his partners to "remain vigilant, as there may be undetected chains of transmission in Equatorial Guinea."

Meanwhile, WHO is helping the Ministry of Health to strengthen surveillance in affected areas and increase laboratory capacity.

They are also collaborating to improve case management, infection prevention and control, protection of health and care workers, "safe and dignified" burials, and community engagement in risk and security.

Likewise, the WHO is collaborating with neighboring countries to help them prepare for any importation. "This is a critical moment in the response to the outbreak in Equatorial Guinea, and it will take the effort of the entire government and the entire society to stop this outbreak," Tedros stressed.