Association condemns surge in abductions and detentions of health workers in Sudan
The WMA stressed that such actions constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and the principle of medical neutrality, which is designed to protect healthcare providers from military and political interference.
The World Medical Association (WMA) has condemned the alarming rise in abductions and detentions of healthcare workers in Sudan, following disturbing reports from the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate.
According to the syndicate, at least six healthcare professionals, including prominent physicians, have gone missing since October 2024, allegedly detained by the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
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“The World Medical Association condemns the detention of five physicians — Adam Mohammed Ibrahim, Al-Sadiq Makhol, Nafisa Abdul Rahman, Khalid Al-Faki, and Mohammed Abdul Raouf — by army intelligence and RSF forces in Sudan. Their whereabouts and condition remain unknown, which is deeply alarming,” the Association stated.
“In addition, the abduction of Dr Al-Tahir Mohammed Fadlallah has triggered protests and strikes by health professionals in East Darfur. We call for their immediate release and demand that all parties respect the principles of medical neutrality and international humanitarian law,” it added.
In its statement, the WMA emphasised that healthcare professionals must not be subjected to violence, detention, or abduction while performing their essential duties, whether in times of peace or conflict.
The WMA stressed that such actions constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and the principle of medical neutrality, which is designed to protect healthcare providers from military and political interference.
“The principles of humanitarian law safeguard healthcare providers from military and political interference. These must be respected by all parties involved in conflict,” the WMA stated.
“These actions represent a grave violation of the basic rights of healthcare workers,” it added. “Physicians and other medical personnel must be able to deliver care without the threat of violence or detention.”
The WMA has called on all parties involved in the Sudanese conflict to cease targeting health professionals and to respect the sanctity and independence of medical care.
The organisation urged all factions to ensure unimpeded access to medical assistance for civilians, highlighting the critical need to protect healthcare workers amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Between 60,000 and 80,000 households — or up to 400,000 people — were displaced from Sudan’s Zamzam camp in North Darfur after it was taken over by the RSF, according to data from the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration.
Rights groups had long warned of potential atrocities if the RSF succeeded in its months-long siege of the famine-stricken camp, which bordered the Sudanese Army’s only remaining stronghold in the Darfur region, al-Fashir.
Satellite imagery captured by Maxar Technologies showed buildings ablaze and smoke rising from the area on Friday, reflecting the devastation seen in previous RSF offensives.
The RSF has denied the allegations of atrocities, claiming the Zamzam camp was being used as a base by army-aligned groups.
At the onset of the conflict, the camp hosted approximately half a million people, a figure believed to have doubled before the RSF takeover.
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