Sudan’s healthcare system stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deep-rooted challenges but also holding vast potential for transformation. This comprehensive vision, authored by Professor Ahmed Al-Safi, draws on over five decades of experience in medical education, healthcare policy, and hospital leadership to propose a sustainable path forward.

Key Issues Identified:

Deteriorating health infrastructure due to conflict, underfunding, and poor governance.
Severe workforce shortages and a brain drain of qualified professionals.
Inequitable access to primary healthcare, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.
High maternal and child mortality rates and the resurgence of endemic diseases like schistosomiasis and malaria.

Proposed Strategic Reforms:

Establishing a comprehensive national health policy focused on equitable access and sustainability.
Strengthening public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery.
Expanding training and retention programs for health professionals.
Investing in digital health solutions and mobile clinics to reach underserved populations.
Promoting health governance reforms, transparency, and community participation.

A Systems-Based Approach: The book advocates for aligning Sudan’s healthcare strategy with WHO’s six health system building blocks: governance, service delivery, workforce, information systems, financing, and medical products. It also emphasizes the need for localized and data-driven interventions to rebuild public trust and efficiency.

A Call to Action: Despite a legacy of neglect and conflict, the author expresses optimism. With political will, collaborative governance, and evidence-based policymaking, Sudan can build a resilient health system that ensures access to quality care for all and supports the country’s broader goals of equity and sustainable development.

Professor Al-Safi gave a presentation of this book, in Arabic, in the Book Club 81 on April 20th 2015 that can be accessed here.

The book itself is attached