Concern grows for doctors stuck in Sudan

iStock/Mulla Merghani

Dozens of NHS doctors risk being refused evacuation from Sudan by the British government because they are not UK nationals, it was claimed today.

The Government said its criteria are being kept under review and that staff on the ground have an “element of discretion”.

The Independent says that the official advice from the Foreign Office is that it is “only” evacuating British nationals and people with existing entry clearance, which means having a UK visa or a biometric residence permit.

It says that some doctors have successfully escaped the country after showing their visa documents.

The British Medical Association said that 74 NHS doctors are trapped in Sudan after many had travelled to the country to visit family for Eid. One doctor has been shot in the leg, it has been reported.

BMA representative body chair Dr Latifa Patel said: “In response to the escalating violence in Sudan, we understand that the UK Government is evacuating British nationals but this does not include NHS doctors in Sudan who are non-British and visa holders within the UK. We are calling on the Government to ensure that these doctors, who are invaluable to the UK’s health service, are able to get to safety.