Sudan's War: Health System Resilience and Lessons Learned - The Minister of Health Perspective

Abstract

Sudan, a vast country amid Africa, has been afflicted for more than two years by an ongoing war as a result of the rebellion by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) initially against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) then the Sudanese nation, unarmed civilian, in Khartoum and rapidly escalating to a nationwide catastrophe. The war has severely disrupted the government's functions, including the fragile Health System, altering the epidemiological pattern, worsening the double burden of diseases, and escalating epidemics and outbreaks. During the very early days of the war, the RSF militia had either occupied, looted or destroyed the top hospitals, the National Public Health Laboratory, the Central Blood Bank, and the National Medical Supply Fund Warehouses, limiting access to essential medical services. Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), being responsible for policy development, strategic planning, and financial and technical support to the States, took its immediate response to the catastrophe and set the top priorities for action. A blended modality for managing the work was established with the strengthening of the Emergency Operating Centre, resulting in a perceptible health system resilience. Despite the devastating damage, the country is still standing and even starting to move on. The high resilience of the country’s government, augmented by community solidarity and the support of partners, has a big role in preventing the health system from collapsing. Many Lessons learned, we could share with public health ministers currently grappling with war, or those who may face similar situations.

Declaration: This article represents the views and opinions of the author alone and does not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the Sudan Journal of Health Sciences (SJHS) or any affiliated institutions.