Sudan Conflict Forces Patients to Risk Dangerous Journeys for Medical Care

September 18, 2026 - 14:36

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has made it increasingly difficult for people suffering from cancer and other chronic illnesses to access the treatment they once received without major obstacles. Hospitals and medical facilities across the country have been attacked, damaged, or forced to shut down, leaving thousands of patients with few options for survival.

Many of those in need of regular care, such as chemotherapy, dialysis, or diabetes management, now face long and dangerous trips to reach the few remaining functioning medical centers. These journeys often take them through active conflict zones, where they risk being caught in crossfire, detained at checkpoints, or injured by explosions. Roads are frequently blocked, and public transport is scarce or too expensive for families already struggling with displacement and loss of income.

Medical staff report that the situation is catastrophic. Supplies of medicine and fuel for generators are running low, and some hospitals that remain open are overwhelmed by the number of patients arriving from distant areas. Doctors say that without immediate and safe humanitarian access, many patients with treatable conditions will die simply because they cannot reach care in time. Aid organizations continue to call for the protection of medical facilities and for safe corridors that would allow civilians to seek treatment without putting their lives at even greater risk.