Sudanese Doctors Demand Government Halt of Arrests and Civilian Torture

Sources inside El Fasher say people will keep dying if local doctors don't continue saving them. Sudan's government forces are shooting and torturing every night; many believe no one cares.

Women living under oppressive conditions in Sudan.

(EL FASHER, Darfur / PORTLAND, Ore.) - Sudanese doctors in Khartoum went on strike several months ago, demanding their back pay and the suspension of the Federal Minister of Health.

Other reasons given were inadequate pay, poor working conditions and a lack of equipment.

Conflict arose between these doctors and the Government of Sudan (GoS) resulting in arrests, torture and the firing of many doctors.

The GoS accused the doctors of protesting for political reasons and gain.

Yesterday, El Fasher doctors began to strike as well, though a timeline has not been given.

Sources close to Salem-News.com spoke with Dr. M.K at ELF hospital:

"We are protesting for the release of our colleagues who were arrested and taken to Khartoum or some unknown prisons for torturing, arrears, increase in pay and the GOS must stop shooting and arresting civilians in EL Fasher as we do not have the proper equipment to treat everyone at the same time."

The attached photos were taken yesterday at the hospital in EL Fasher.

Unfortunately many of the doctors have left the hospital until the GOS will commit to their demands.

The patients are frightened and unsure what to do until their doctors return, the need remains high as areas surrounding have seen heavy conflict.

BBC reported a dramatic increase in deaths inside Darfur, 600 have died in May and the insecurity has continued to amplify.

Sources inside El Fasher spoke out. One statement confirmed the desperation of the situation.

"Lots of People will die if these doctors don't continue saving them. GOS is out there shooting and torturing every night and no one cares. I saw some patience laying on the ground and thinking of using local medicines- and that is so sad".

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Alysha Atma spends many hours working on projects that support and benefit the beleaguered people of African nations who spend way too much time off the western media's radar. This writer explains that she is a culmination of all her experiences, most importantly knowledge she says, and all that she still needs to learn; lessons of love, laughter and the extraordinary giving of both young and old. She says she has the enormous fortune of learning from the best; every person around her, and the amazing strength and fortitude of those she has never met but will always strive to listen to. "I continue to work and write because I believe in the power of community and the power of one, both contradictory to each other and yet can move together in a very powerful way. I feel a responsibility to use my place, freedoms and connections here in the US to stand up and yell for those who need my voice and actions. I have seen such strength in my fellow humans that I cannot even begin to comprehend, they have traveled distances, have gone without food, water, shelter and safety for days and weeks at a time. I have a responsibility as a fellow human to put our common humanity before anything else. Everyone deserves to look towards tomorrow, to dream of a safe future and to have a peaceful present." You can write to Alysha Atma at: alyshann78@comcast.net