Latest news with #healthcarecollapse
Arab News
5 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Sudan's collapsing healthcare system a global emergency
Sudan is currently grappling with one of the worst humanitarian and public health crises in the world, as its healthcare system is collapsing under the weight of ongoing civil conflict. The war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has inflicted immense damage on the country's medical infrastructure. Over the past two years, the violence has destroyed more than 250 hospitals and healthcare facilities, either through direct bombardment or looting. At least 60 percent of pharmacies and medical warehouses have been looted, burned or rendered inoperable. Medical professionals have fled or been killed and those who remain are often targeted or are unable to safely reach their workplaces. Basic medical supplies, electricity, clean water and fuel are scarce or nonexistent in many parts of the country. The breakdown of health services has not only left millions without access to essential care but has also created ideal conditions for deadly disease outbreaks to spread unchecked. Amid this destruction, the World Health Organization and the UN have raised alarms about the spiraling health emergency. Sudan now faces simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, malaria, measles and dengue, diseases that are being exacerbated by the collapse of sanitation systems, unsafe water sources and overcrowded refugee camps. More than 20 million people — almost half the country's population — are in urgent need of medical care. Immunization campaigns have been halted and the absence of preventive medicine has led to the rapid reemergence of diseases once under control. The WHO has recorded at least 156 attacks on healthcare workers and facilities since the war began and these attacks continue to impede even the most basic humanitarian responses. The UN has called Sudan one of the world's largest and most-neglected emergencies, noting that more than 12.4 million people have been displaced and famine is either present or imminent in several areas. Children are especially vulnerable: millions face severe malnutrition, lack access to medical care and are increasingly at risk of exploitation, trafficking and death. If this crisis continues without immediate intervention, Sudan faces an impending humanitarian catastrophe that will have devastating consequences for its people for generations to come. The complete collapse of the healthcare system means that diseases will spread without resistance, maternal and infant mortality will surge and chronic illnesses will go untreated. With hospitals destroyed and doctors in hiding or exiled, even the simplest medical emergencies can become fatal. With hospitals destroyed and doctors in hiding or exiled, even the simplest medical emergencies can become fatal Dr. Majid Rafizadeh The loss of educational and training institutions also means that rebuilding the health sector will take decades, even under optimal conditions. Famine, disease and the psychological trauma of war are already corroding the foundations of society, deepening poverty and dismantling any remaining trust in institutions. If the fighting persists, the country could be left with an entire generation deprived not only of healthcare, but of security, education and hope. The consequences of the collapse of Sudan's healthcare system will not remain contained within its borders. The conflict has already displaced more than 3.3 million people into neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic. These nations, already burdened with fragile health systems and limited resources, are now under immense strain as they attempt to care for large numbers of malnourished and sick refugees. Infectious diseases like cholera, which thrive in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, pose a serious threat to regional public health. The breakdown in immunization coverage could result in the cross-border spread of measles and polio, undermining years of health progress in the region. Moreover, the protracted instability in Sudan risks destabilizing the entire Horn of Africa, a region already vulnerable to political fragmentation, insurgency and environmental stress. The global implications of Sudan's health emergency are equally urgent. The ongoing collapse of Sudan's health system and the humanitarian vacuum it creates serve as a dire warning about the fragility of global health security. As we have seen with past pandemics and regional crises, diseases that emerge or expand in one part of the world can quickly spread beyond borders, especially when response efforts are delayed or under-resourced. Moreover, the normalization of attacks on healthcare workers and facilities during armed conflict threatens the sanctity of international humanitarian law. If such violations continue with impunity in Sudan, they could set a precedent for future conflicts, eroding the principles that protect civilians and aid workers globally. The lack of a coordinated international response not only reflects a failure of political will, it also undermines collective commitments to global health and human rights. What is urgently needed is a decisive, coordinated and sustained international response. The first and most pressing step is the implementation of an immediate ceasefire. This would allow for the safe establishment of humanitarian and health corridors — zones where aid organizations can deliver medical supplies, provide vaccinations and treat the wounded without threat of violence. These corridors are essential for saving lives in the short term, especially in regions that have been cut off from aid for months. The UN, the WHO, Doctors Without Borders and other agencies require not only funding but also guaranteed security to operate effectively. Immediate airlifts of medicine, surgical equipment, vaccines and food must be prioritized. Equally important is the political pressure on both warring factions to cease attacks on healthcare infrastructure, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Beyond these urgent interventions, the international community must work in collaboration with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and key regional actors to forge a pathway toward a permanent ceasefire and political resolution. This includes building upon the Jeddah Declaration, which was signed in May 2023 under the auspices of the US and Saudi Arabia. The declaration outlined commitments by both warring parties to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access and refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure. Though the declaration has largely been violated, it remains one of the few frameworks for negotiation that has gained international recognition. Revitalizing the Jeddah process, expanding the number of mediating parties and ensuring local community representation are vital steps toward lasting peace. Without a stable political solution, humanitarian aid alone will never be sufficient. In conclusion, Sudan's health crisis has reached a catastrophic stage and the situation demands the world's immediate and undivided attention. The country's healthcare system is not merely under stress — it is actively disintegrating. Millions are at risk of dying not only from bullets and bombs but from preventable diseases and starvation. The consequences of inaction will reverberate far beyond Sudan's borders, threatening regional health, stability and security. The international community must act now — decisively and urgently — to implement a ceasefire, open health corridors and reengage in meaningful diplomacy. Failure to do so will not only doom millions in Sudan but will mark yet another tragic instance of global neglect in the face of a preventable disaster. • Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Healthscope collapse raises questions about the viability of private hospitals
The collapse of Australia's second largest private hospital group is an early warning sign for the financial viability of private hospitals, a health policy expert says. Healthscope's network of 37 private hospitals treat about 650,000 Australians each year and employ about 19,000 staff nationally. Owned by the Canadian-American investment firm Brookfield, the indebted operator fell into receivership on Monday after its syndicate of banks and hedge funds withdrew support. It appointed corporate restructuring firm McGrathNicol as receiver and promised patients and staff it would keep its hospitals open. Yet the collapse of a major hospital care provider has raised questions about the financially viability of Australia's private health sector. Although Federal Health Minister Mark Butler described Healthscope's struggle as "unique," he recognised there were "challenges" for the profitability of private hospitals. Meanwhile, Monash University Professor of Health Economics, Anthony Scott, said the collapse of the business is a signal that the private health sector may shrink. Dr Scott said private hospital operators were struggling to maintain profitability due to workforce shortages and higher costs of supplies and equipment. This has put operators at loggerheads with health insurers that fund the system but do not want to charge customers more. "Hospitals want more money for the increased activity and costs of providing their services," Dr Scott said. "Whereas health insurers, particularly the for-profit health insurers, want to keep premiums down for members so that they're profitable too." The tension between the two became evident in September 2024 when Healthscope threatened to end agreements with private health insurers. Healthscope owner Brookfield still owes $1.6 billion to lenders and has been unable to pay to keep operating its facilities, including Sydney's Northern Beaches Hospital. "There is a general feeling in the sector that it's hard to make money from private hospitals at the moment," Dr Scott said. He added the drop in private insurance memberships and knock-on effects of the Covid pandemic are continuing to put pressure on the private health sector. Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler admitted "there are some viability challenges to private hospitals as a sector". "That's why a couple of months ago I announced my expectation to insurers that they would lift the benefit payments ratios," he said. "But I think people who observe this part of our healthcare system understand that Healthscope and its ownership structure ... is something of a unique case." Still, Professor Scott said Healthscope's collapse shows that private equity firms do not see hospitals as financially viable. "It's an important issue, particularly when costs are increasing and profits are not to be made, but then again some people might argue that you shouldn't make profits from health." The latest figures show about half of all hospitals in Australia are private, and of these 62 per cent are for-profit, while the rest are run by not-for-profit organisations. Dr Scott said non-profits like St Vincent's were "more likely to weather the storm" of the cost-of-living challenges because of their ownership structures. This means the collapse of Healthscope does not necessarily spell the beginning of the end of the sector. "Private hospitals might still exist, but they might be on a smaller footprint because they will have to close parts of their services to keep costs down," Dr Scott said. "Remember some maternity units have closed in recent years." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina said it is "business-as-usual" and all 37 of the operator's private hospitals would remain open during the receivership. Healthscope said it has a current cash balance of $110 million to keep the business running, with the Commonwealth Bank offering an additional $100 million in loan funding. "There is no interruption to the outstanding care we provide. Our incredible teams are all working as normal, providing the high standard of care they always have," Mr La Spina said. "The additional funding, while we do not anticipate it being required, provides additional support." Minister Butler said there would be no taxpayer bailout, with Healthscope having enough funds for "several months of operations" as it goes through an "orderly stable process of the sale". While he did not say what would happen if the money ran out before all the hospitals find new owners, he did say a "disorderly" process would have an effect. Dr Scott added public hospitals were already under a lot of pressure too, with health policy rhetoric in recent years shifting toward strengthening primary care to lower demand. "In the next year or so, we're going to see the same issues from public hospitals wanting more money from the government," he said. "[The rhetoric] is all about preventing people from going into the hospital in the first place, but a lot of those policies are not in place yet." He suggested revisiting the regulation of prices and contract negotiations between private hospitals and private health insurers could potentially help the private hospital sector to be more efficient. "The funding models would need to be looked at in the long-term to ensure the sustainability of the whole hospital sector, not just private hospitals." Healthscope runs the 37 facilities listed below. NSW Victoria Queensland South Australia Western Australia Tasmania ACT Northern Territory
