To respond to the increased surgical needs in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) started supporting Wau Teaching Hospital. Our surgical team arrived in Wau town at the beginning of April and immediately started working to provide lifesaving surgical treatment to the wounded. Since its arrival it has conducted 43 surgeries.  

The ICRC will support the hospital within the framework of the agreement it has signed with the hospital management. This will include sharing technical expertise, providing medical supplies, equipment and incentives for the hospital staff, as well as improving the infrastructure.

The surgical team consists of five people: a surgeon, an anesthetist, two nurses and a hospital manager. They will work together with the Wau Teaching Hospital staff to provide emergency surgical care and share expertise in the area of emergency surgery to help build the knowledge and skills of the hospital's personnel.

At the same time the ICRC continues emergency medical evacuations of wounded people from conflict affected areas across the country to the hospitals it supports.

Healthcare personnel and facilities are a vital lifeline. They are protected by the International Humanitarian Law and must be respected at all times.