Feel it: The Mycetoma Research Center

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the world’s only research centre for mycetoma, a contagious tropical disease that affects especially disadvantaged groups, has been destroyed in Khartoum by the war in Sudan according to AFP.

MRC is the only WHO Collaborating Center on mycetoma and skin-neglected tropical diseases. It stands out for its emphasis on a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to mycetoma management. The center integrates medical, surgical, and rehabilitative interventions to provide a holistic and effective treatment strategy. This approach recognises the complex nature of mycetoma and aims to address its diverse aspects to enhance patient outcomes.

Given the geographical distribution of mycetoma and the often remote areas where affected individuals reside, MRC places significant importance on community engagement. The center recognises the need for support and improved treatment-seeking behaviour in these regions, emphasising the importance of involving local communities in managing and preventing mycetoma.

The attacks on health facilities in Sudan have had a devastating impact on a country engulfed by violence.The number of attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan since the onset of the armed conflict in April 2023 has exceeded 100, with 108 incidents verified by WHO .

WHO believes that the number of attacks is likely much higher than what is currently verifiable.We hope for peace and stability in Sudan, and for institutions and hospitals to return to work again.

Sudan is waiting for great and diligent work to restore the Mycetoma Center and rehabilitate it again to be one of the important global centers, not just at the regional level, but at the global level under a new, secure, and stable Sudan.