Zain Interactive Forum Discusses Health Sector Challenges Amid War
Sudanhorizon – Reports
The Zain Interactive Forum, held on Wednesday, October 15 via Platform X, focused on the challenges facing Sudan’s health sector during the ongoing war, highlighting the severe impact of conflict and disease outbreaks on public health and community wellbeing since 2023.
The forum brought together several experts and health professionals, including Dr. Al-Fateh Rabee Abdullah, Director of the National Quarantine Department; Dr. Maha Hussein Mohamed, Director of Al-Balq Pediatric Hospital; Dr. Waleed Mohamed Suleiman, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon; and Dr. Mona Idris Ahmed Abdelqader, Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO).
In his remarks, Dr. Al-Fateh Rabee reviewed the state of Sudan’s health system prior to the war, describing it as fragile and overly centralized in Khartoum. He said the conflict had devastated the system — medical institutions were targeted, supply chains were disrupted, and healthcare workers were displaced — leaving chronic disease patients particularly vulnerable. Facilities in relatively safe states, he noted, became overwhelmed with patients, straining their limited capacities. He urged communities to collaborate in addressing health and environmental challenges through sanitation, waste management, and water chlorination, while calling for equitable distribution of healthcare services across Sudan’s states.
Dr. Maha Hussein shared a moving account of Al-Balq Pediatric Hospital — now the only functioning pediatric facility in Khartoum State. She detailed how the hospital remained operational throughout the war, treating both children and adults despite bombardments. Offices were converted into patient wards, and an isolation center was established that treated over 1,000 cholera patients. She praised the extraordinary dedication of medical staff who continued their duties under direct fire.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mona Idris of the WHO outlined the organization’s ongoing efforts to support Sudan’s health authorities before and during the conflict. She emphasized the importance of community awareness and participation, enabling citizens to make informed health decisions and reduce pressure on the fragile healthcare system. She warned of rising cases of dengue fever in Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, and White Nile states, calling for intensified campaigns against mosquito breeding and stagnant water. “Daily hygiene and healthy behavior are the first line of defense,” she said.
The session was moderated by Dr. Waleed Mohamed Suleiman, who framed the discussion around the broader humanitarian context, noting that “talking about health in Sudan today is no longer just about diseases and services — it’s about human survival itself.” He described the health sector as a story of resilience, paying tribute to the doctors, nurses, and technicians who continue their work despite life-threatening conditions.
The forum drew strong engagement from the public, with live questions and comments addressed by panelists. The Zain Interactive Forum, launched by Zain Sudan, aims to foster open dialogue on key social and developmental issues, offering a platform for constructive discussion and practical solutions. Previous sessions have covered topics such as education reform, scientific research, e-learning, and the positive use of social media.
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