In Darfur, Sudan, pregnant women are facing severe challenges in accessing healthcare due to ongoing conflict, which has resulted in increased risks of miscarriage and complications during delivery.

The health crisis is exacerbated by the fact that over 70% of health facilities in conflict-affected regions like Darfur are non-functional or closed, leaving women vulnerable during one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in recent history.

The Zalingei hospital serves as the only referral center for specialized care for approximately 500,000 people, performing over 40 emergency caesarean sections each month due to complications arising from home births.

Many women in remote areas resort to giving birth at home using traditional methods, which often leads to serious health risks when complications arise and medical care is delayed.

The absence of basic healthcare facilities and antenatal care due to the war has left women particularly vulnerable to severe health complications during and after childbirth.

Pregnant women frequently arrive at hospitals malnourished, contributing to preterm births and necessitating further medical observation for their newborns.

Testimonies from women reveal ongoing struggles with access to food and healthcare, with many relying on Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) services for support.

The impact of the war continues to perpetuate cycles of malnutrition and maternal death, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid and improved healthcare access in the region.

Women like Afaf Omar Yahya have endured long and difficult journeys to reach healthcare facilities, often only to discover they have suffered miscarriages and require emergency procedures.

A case study highlighted by MSF illustrates the dire consequences of inaccessible healthcare, such as a mother who bled to death after being unable to remove her placenta.

MSF operates in 10 of Sudan's 18 states and reports significant health impacts on women and babies in conflict-affected areas, particularly in Darfur.