Campaign for release of 11 Sudanese doctors still in detention

The Central Committee on Sudanese Doctors has launched a campaign of solidarity with several entities, to press for the release of doctors detained by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

The Committee said in a statement that after nine days, the security apparatus is still holding 11 members of the Central Committee and subcommittees while there are still some 57 doctors being summoned for repeated interrogation at the NISS offices.

The detained doctors so far include Hassan Karar, Omar Ahmed Saleh, Husam El Amin, Mohammad Abdel Latif, Mohammed El Mujtaba, Abdullah Gurashi, Jihad Abdel Moneim,  Ahmed Elabwabi, Mohammed Hilali, El Sayed Ginat and Ahmed El Sheikh.

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, 19 doctors were released after interrogation, but are required to report to the NISS offices every day, from 10am to 10pm.

Negotiations

The past weeks have seen widespread strikes and protest actions by doctors and medical professionals across Sudan. They demand protectiuon from attack for doctors, and better working conditions in hospitals.

The Committee decided to suspend the strike after a positive turnout of negotiations with the Ministry of Health.

However the doctors’ union later decided to resume the strike, accusing the government of failing to meet its pledges to improve the overall health service.

Doctors laid-down their tools in 60 Sudanese hospitals on 1 November. The Minister of Health finds the strike “irresponsible” and said that the government will “deal with it decisively”.