A Beacon Amid the Ruins: How One Sudanese Hospital Brings Life to a War-Torn Nation

In the midst of Sudan’s protracted conflict, Kosti Maternity Hospital in White Nile State stands as a quiet symbol of resilience. Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the hospital has become a sanctuary for mothers and newborns in desperate need of care. Every day, an average of 15 women give birth within its walls. It serves as a crucial referral point for both the local population and more than a quarter of a million internally displaced people who have fled the violence consuming their communities.

At the centre of this story is Fatma Aldoma, a midwife who has dedicated over five decades of her life to Kosti Maternity Hospital. Since joining the facility in 1974, she has witnessed the evolution of maternal care in Sudan through periods of peace and turmoil. Her calm presence and steady hands have guided thousands of women through childbirth, even in the most trying circumstances.

“Nowadays, natural childbirths are fewer than Caesarean sections,” Ms Aldoma reflected, noting how obstetric practices have shifted over the years. Yet, what concerns her most is not the changing medical landscape, but the growing number of women arriving without money or resources.

“Some women come without money. We pay out of our pockets to help them with childbirth costs,” she said softly. Her greatest wish is for the hospital to receive more support for essential supplies and medical tests, so that every woman can access safe and dignified care.

For mothers like 25-year-old Faj from Tawila, Kosti Maternity Hospital has been nothing short of life-saving. All five of her children were born there. One of her deliveries was complicated by heavy bleeding, but the hospital’s medical team managed to stabilise her in time. “My biggest problem was the bleeding, but thanks to the medical care at the hospital, they helped me,” she said with quiet gratitude.

The war in Sudan, now in its third year, has placed unbearable strain on an already fragile health system. The influx of families fleeing conflict has overwhelmed hospitals, while persistent electricity cuts and shortages of medical equipment have pushed many facilities to the brink of collapse. In Kosti, operations such as Caesarean sections are often interrupted by power outages, putting both mothers and babies at grave risk.

UNFPA has stepped in to support the hospital with life-saving resources, including an anaesthetic machine, incubators, oxygen concentrators, ambu bags and an ultrasound unit. These investments have reduced delays in emergency surgeries and strengthened the hospital’s ability to care for premature infants. The installation of a solar power system by UNFPA has also provided a vital alternative energy source, keeping essential services running when the national grid fails. However, generators are still needed to fill the gaps, highlighting the urgent need for stronger and more reliable infrastructure.

The consequences of the war extend far beyond the hospital walls. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands now face famine. Since April 2023, more than 7.5 million people have been forced from their homes, making Sudan one of the world’s largest displacement crises. The destruction of the country’s infrastructure, particularly its health system, has left millions without access to basic care.

Humanitarian agencies are struggling to meet the overwhelming needs. UNFPA’s 2025 appeal for Sudan totals 145.7 million dollars, yet only a third of this amount has been funded. Despite these constraints, UNFPA and its partners have managed to reach over 586,000 people with maternal health and emergency obstetric services between January and August 2025. Still, the gap between need and available resources continues to grow.

Inside Kosti Maternity Hospital, the staff persevere. They work through exhaustion, heat and shortages, guided by a deep sense of purpose. For them, every safe delivery is an act of defiance against despair. In a country torn apart by war, the cries of newborns serve as a reminder that life, even in its most fragile form, refuses to give up.

Kosti Maternity Hospital is more than a health facility. It is a testament to courage, compassion and the enduring strength of Sudanese women who continue to bring life into the world, even as their own lives are reshaped by conflict.