Healthcare Crisis in Sudan: 75% of Khartoum Facilities Out of Service
The collapse of the healthcare system in Sudan, especially in the capital Khartoum, highlights the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict, as continued fighting threatens to turn the cou
October 8, 2024, 11:52 pm

Healthcare Crisis in Sudan: 75% of Khartoum Facilities Out of Service

الحرب الاهلية في السودان \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stern warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, indicating that the continuation of armed conflict could lead to massive human losses unless urgent action is taken to stop the bloodshed.

This warning came from Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, during a press conference held in Cairo on Tuesday.

Balkhy explained that the war raging for nearly 18 months has caused the world's largest internal displacement crisis, with more than 25 million people, over half of Sudan's population, in dire need of food and healthcare.

She added, "Malnourished children and mothers are dying due to lack of care, cholera is spreading in many parts of the country, and aid workers face enormous challenges."

In a related context, Richard Brennan, WHO Regional Emergency Director, revealed that more than 20,000 cholera cases have been recorded this year in half of Sudan's eighteen regions.

He noted that this outbreak is spreading faster compared to last year, putting additional pressure on the collapsed health system. In an attempt to address this situation, Brennan announced the start of an oral vaccination campaign this week, with 1.4 million doses arriving and another 2.2 million expected later.

The alarming statistics provided by the organization indicate that 75% of health facilities in the capital Khartoum are out of service, while the situation in western and southern Sudan appears even worse.

This collapse of the health system comes amid ongoing battles between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which erupted in mid-April 2023 over competing plans for transition to civilian rule.

Under these catastrophic conditions, voices calling for urgent international intervention to save the situation in Sudan are growing louder. Balkhy warned explicitly, "If there is no immediate intervention, famine and disease will claim countless lives," which places a moral and humanitarian responsibility on the international community to act quickly before the crisis turns into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

The question remains: Will the international community be able to overcome political differences and move effectively to save millions of lives in Sudan? And will diplomatic efforts succeed in finding a political solution that ends the conflict and opens the door for comprehensive humanitarian relief operations?

Levant-Agencies

Israel on the Edge: Study of Striking Nuclear Iran Between Feasibility and Risks To Avoid Gaza's Fate.. Netanyahu Calls on Lebanese to "Liberate Their Country" from Hezbollah

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.