Grenade attack forces MSF to suspend life-saving services at Zalingei Hospital in Darfur
Zalingei Hospital, the only facility in Central Darfur capable of handling severe cases, has treated 162 cholera patients in just 16 days since August 1 in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health.
A grenade explosion inside Zalingei Teaching Hospital in Central Darfur on August 16 killed one person and injured five others, forcing Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend all activities at a time when the region is battling its deadliest outbreak in years.
The attack began after a deceased person with a gunshot wound—reportedly from a looting incident at a nearby camp for displaced people—was brought to the emergency room around 8:20 pm.
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Armed relatives of the deceased forced their way into the hospital, followed shortly after by another patient with gunshot injuries who was also accompanied by armed individuals.
According to MSF, tensions between the groups escalated inside the facility, and around 10 pm, a hand grenade was detonated outside the emergency room. One person was killed, and five others—including a government medical staff member—were injured.
Marwan Taher, MSF's emergency coordinator in Darfur, said the outcome could have been far worse had the blast occurred during the day.
“The death toll could have been higher had the attack happened during the day when the hospital was full of patients,” he said.
Security guarantees
MSF announced it will not resume operations until all parties provide clear security guarantees for staff and patients.
“Suspending our activities and evacuating our teams is a decision no medical organisation wants to make, but our staff cannot risk their lives while providing care,” said Taher.
Zalingei hospital is the only facility in Central Darfur equipped to handle severe cases. Since August 1, it has been responding to a cholera outbreak, treating 162 patients in just 16 days in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health. Seven patients have since died.
Beyond cholera, between May and July 2025, the hospital conducted over 1,500 gynaecological consultations, 1,400 pediatric consultations, and 80 surgeries.
Essential care disrupted
MSF noted that, “As the only referral hospital serving around 500,000 people, it is the sole facility managing complex cases in the area. MSF's mobile clinic in Fogodiku locality and community engagement and health promotion activities have also been suspended, leaving thousands without essential care.”
The suspension follows a series of attacks that have repeatedly disrupted MSF’s work in the region.
In February 2024, armed men stormed Zalingei hospital, stealing MSF rental vehicles and forcing the withdrawal of its assessment team before activities could even begin.
The August 16 grenade attack marks the second major security incident at the facility.
“Attacks on hospitals and medical staff are unacceptable and put lives at risk. The presence of guns inside a medical facility makes it impossible for our teams to operate safely. Without clear guarantees from the concerned parties for the safety of both the Ministry of Health and MSF staff, we cannot continue our work. People in Zalingei urgently need healthcare, and their access to it must be protected,” said Taher.
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