Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis

In April 2023, the armed conflict erupted in Sudan, exacerbating the ongoing crisis with widespread violence, health system collapse, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable, vector-borne, and water-borne diseases. Despite these devastating consequences, the international response has been inadequate,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Majd A. Alsoukhni, Muna Ibrahim Abdel Aziz, Haytham Qosa, Ibrahim Bani, Maye Omar, Muntasir Mohammed Osman Elhassan, Haitham Bashier Abbas, Yousef Khader, Magid Al-Gunaid, Mohannad Al Nsour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1647917/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849390132038205440
author Majd A. Alsoukhni
Muna Ibrahim Abdel Aziz
Haytham Qosa
Ibrahim Bani
Maye Omar
Muntasir Mohammed Osman Elhassan
Haitham Bashier Abbas
Yousef Khader
Magid Al-Gunaid
Mohannad Al Nsour
author_facet Majd A. Alsoukhni
Muna Ibrahim Abdel Aziz
Haytham Qosa
Ibrahim Bani
Maye Omar
Muntasir Mohammed Osman Elhassan
Haitham Bashier Abbas
Yousef Khader
Magid Al-Gunaid
Mohannad Al Nsour
author_sort Majd A. Alsoukhni
collection DOAJ
description In April 2023, the armed conflict erupted in Sudan, exacerbating the ongoing crisis with widespread violence, health system collapse, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable, vector-borne, and water-borne diseases. Despite these devastating consequences, the international response has been inadequate, requiring urgent advocacy for increased global support. During the EMPHNET 8th Regional Conference (September 15–18, 2024), a 2-hour forum, “Public Health in Sudan: Priorities and Solutions,” brought together a moderator and six distinguished speakers to discuss critical aspects of the health crisis. The forum addressed four key areas: the health and humanitarian needs in Sudan, strategies for building a resilient health system, the role of multisectoral coordination and integrated policies, and the contributions of local and international actors in crisis response and resource mobilization. Key recommendations emphasized strengthening supply chains, decentralizing resources, and fostering multisectoral collaboration to address health determinants and optimize response efforts. Building health system resilience through training, capacity development, and community-based health solutions was identified as critical. The panel also advocated for sustained, conflict-sensitive funding mechanisms and preventive care to improve public health in Sudan. In conclusion, the discussions highlight the importance of integrating health system resilience into recovery plans and fostering strong partnerships to ensure a health system that is adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable. By addressing immediate needs and preparing for future crises, Sudan can build a robust healthcare system capable of withstanding prolonged challenges.
format Article
id doaj-art-e67c5ebab4144ca3aaf4be4a77532fe6
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-2565
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Public Health
spelling doaj-art-e67c5ebab4144ca3aaf4be4a77532fe62025-08-20T03:41:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16479171647917Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisisMajd A. Alsoukhni0Muna Ibrahim Abdel Aziz1Haytham Qosa2Ibrahim Bani3Maye Omar4Muntasir Mohammed Osman Elhassan5Haitham Bashier Abbas6Yousef Khader7Magid Al-Gunaid8Mohannad Al Nsour9The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Amman, JordanPublic Health Department, Salford City Council, Salford, United KingdomInternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – MENA, Amman, JordanYale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United StatesNuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomRepublic of Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, SudanThe Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Amman, JordanThe Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Amman, JordanThe Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Amman, JordanThe Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Amman, JordanIn April 2023, the armed conflict erupted in Sudan, exacerbating the ongoing crisis with widespread violence, health system collapse, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable, vector-borne, and water-borne diseases. Despite these devastating consequences, the international response has been inadequate, requiring urgent advocacy for increased global support. During the EMPHNET 8th Regional Conference (September 15–18, 2024), a 2-hour forum, “Public Health in Sudan: Priorities and Solutions,” brought together a moderator and six distinguished speakers to discuss critical aspects of the health crisis. The forum addressed four key areas: the health and humanitarian needs in Sudan, strategies for building a resilient health system, the role of multisectoral coordination and integrated policies, and the contributions of local and international actors in crisis response and resource mobilization. Key recommendations emphasized strengthening supply chains, decentralizing resources, and fostering multisectoral collaboration to address health determinants and optimize response efforts. Building health system resilience through training, capacity development, and community-based health solutions was identified as critical. The panel also advocated for sustained, conflict-sensitive funding mechanisms and preventive care to improve public health in Sudan. In conclusion, the discussions highlight the importance of integrating health system resilience into recovery plans and fostering strong partnerships to ensure a health system that is adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable. By addressing immediate needs and preparing for future crises, Sudan can build a robust healthcare system capable of withstanding prolonged challenges.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1647917/fullSudancrisisimpact on health systemshealth system resiliencepublic health
spellingShingle Majd A. Alsoukhni
Muna Ibrahim Abdel Aziz
Haytham Qosa
Ibrahim Bani
Maye Omar
Muntasir Mohammed Osman Elhassan
Haitham Bashier Abbas
Yousef Khader
Magid Al-Gunaid
Mohannad Al Nsour
Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
Frontiers in Public Health
Sudan
crisis
impact on health systems
health system resilience
public health
title Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
title_full Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
title_fullStr Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
title_full_unstemmed Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
title_short Public health in Sudan: priorities, challenges, and pathways to resilience in crisis
title_sort public health in sudan priorities challenges and pathways to resilience in crisis
topic Sudan
crisis
impact on health systems
health system resilience
public health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1647917/full
work_keys_str_mv AT majdaalsoukhni publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT munaibrahimabdelaziz publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT haythamqosa publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT ibrahimbani publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT mayeomar publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT muntasirmohammedosmanelhassan publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT haithambashierabbas publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT yousefkhader publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT magidalgunaid publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis
AT mohannadalnsour publichealthinsudanprioritieschallengesandpathwaystoresilienceincrisis