Since April 2025, Khartoum State has been battling a devastating cholera outbreak. The crisis has been exacerbated by the return of displaced people and the collapse of water infrastructure, with 80% of the state’s water networks no longer functioning due to repeated attacks on power supplies. On May 21 alone, nearly 500 new cholera cases were recorded. More than 7,000 cases were reported that month—an increase of almost 400% compared to April—and 239 deaths were reported across the state’s seven localities. This public health emergency highlights the urgent need for reliable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in healthcare facilities.
Amid this emergency, a primary healthcare centre in Jabal Awlia became a beacon of hope. For two years, Fetih Alagleen Health Center had struggled under the impact of conflict: the lights were out, taps ran dry, and staff could not deliver complete or quality services. Even when fighting subsided, infrastructural damage meant that essential healthcare remained severely limited.
“There were times we had to check patients in cramped, poorly ventilated rooms,” explains Dr. Suzan Abdalhafiez. “It was worse in the scorching heat. Patients and health workers alike suffered. At times, health workers couldn’t wash their hands between patients because the taps had dried up.”
With generous support from the European Union, International Medical Corps rehabilitated the clinic, installing a new solar power system and reliable water supply by constructing a pump utility hole and connecting it to the city’s supply line, installing two 2,000-liter storage tanks with protective metallic tower works, extending the main water line to the health centre and linking the tanks directly to the clinic’s supply system. The wards and consultation rooms are well-lit and well-ventilated, with functioning fans and lights and running water has restored basic hygiene. This transformed the facility into a safe and fully functional health centre. What was once a struggling and partially operational clinic is now a sanctuary for thousands, restoring dignity, safety and trust in healthcare services.
“Electricity and water are no longer a concern,” says Dr. Abdalhafiez, one of the facility’s doctors. “I can now work longer hours and focus fully on my patients. The transformation has been a blessing for us as healthcare professionals and for the people we serve.”
For Nida Ayoub, a laboratory technician, the change has been revolutionary.
“In the past, with no electricity, our borrowed solar cell would only power the equipment after 9 a.m., and sometimes test results were delayed until late afternoon. Patients became anxious, and we felt helpless,” she recalls. “Now, with the new solar system, we can process the same number of samples before noon that used to take a whole day. Access to clean water means we can thoroughly disinfect equipment, helping to eliminate unpleasant odours and maintain a safe working environment. It is a major improvement for both staff and patients.”
For vaccinator Maria Khalfallah, electricity is more than a convenience; it is lifesaving.
“Solar power keeps our refrigerators running day and night, ensuring vaccines remain safe,” she explains.
“The centre has become a reliable immunisation hub, even supplying nearby facilities.”
Previously, wound care and other procedures were often carried out under the dim light of a mobile phone, increasing the risk of infection. Solar-powered sterilisation, safe water, and renovated sanitation facilities have restored patients’ safety and dignity. The benefits of solar power extend beyond health services. For Khalid Basheir, the facility’s guard, solar lighting means protection.
“Before, without lights, keeping the health centre secure was almost impossible. Thieves and vandals could hide in the darkness. I didn’t feel safe, and the centre was at risk,” Khalid says. “Now, with solar lights, I feel secure during my rounds, and the health centre is well protected.”
Fetih Alagleen Health Center is thriving. Doctors can dedicate more time to patients. Lab technicians are delivering faster results. Vaccinators are safeguarding essential immunisations. Nurses provide safe, infection-free care. And guards ensure the security of the premises.
Most importantly, patients, especially children, receive safe, timely, dignified healthcare. This success story highlights the profound impact of sustainable WASH solutions in restoring dignity, safety and hope for communities affected by the crisis.
This transformation was made possible through the partnership of International Medical Corps and the European Union. Together, we are helping communities in Khartoum not just survive but begin to recover with dignity, even amid crisis.
