Yesterday morning, 9 October, at around 07:20 am, shelling struck the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supported Al Nao hospital, in Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan. A shell hit Al Nao’s emergency department, killing two patient caretakers, and injuring five people, who were immediately referred to other facilities. As one of the last functioning hospitals in Omdurman, the hospital was treating patients at the time it was hit.

A further four shells exploded just outside the hospital, killing two more people and leaving several others injured. 

MSF is shocked and outraged that a fully functioning hospital has been hit; we have repeatedly called for medical facilities and civilian lives to be protected. Deplorable attacks on healthcare workers and facilities, patients, caretakers and civilians must cease immediately, preventing further loss of innocent lives from this brutal and callous conflict.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed in yesterday’s despicable action.

Yesterday’s shelling will only further reduce access to medical care for people desperately in need of healthcare.