In transition: current health challenges and priorities in Sudan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health

Background:

• The Sudanese healthcare system confronts a significant burden from both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Key challenges include critical gaps in health data and infrastructure, hindering effective disease management and intervention strategies.
• The nation experiences a rise in non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, renal disease, and cancer, alongside persistent communicable diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and address the current burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Sudan.
• To highlight the impact of data and infrastructure deficiencies on the national healthcare system.
• To align healthcare strategies with United Nations sustainable development goals amidst societal transition.

Main Methods:

• A symposium and workshop convened experts from three Sudanese universities.
• Discussions focused on identifying common challenges impacting disease burden across the country.
• Analysis of current trends in both communicable and non-communicable disease prevalence and impact.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in non-communicable diseases contributing to multimorbidity.
• Continued high burden of parasitic and other endemic communicable diseases, causing substantial morbidity and mortality.
• Emerging threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly affecting maternal, neonatal, and paediatric populations.
• Prevalence of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and poor perinatal outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A unified national strategy is essential to tackle the complex disease burden in Sudan.
• Addressing data and infrastructure gaps is paramount for improving healthcare interventions.
• Resolving healthcare needs is critical, especially during the country's ongoing societal and political transition.