The launch of the annual meeting of environmental health managers in Sudan
Khartoum / The Citizen
Under the slogan “Rebuilding Starts from Humans and the Environment,” the activities of the annual meeting of environmental health directors in Sudan kicked off this morning at the Season Hotel in Khartoum and will conclude tomorrow, Thursday.
In the opening session, the Undersecretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ali Babiker, said that the meeting is important in terms of the significance of the issue of environmental health and its effects on public health. He emphasized that it paves the way for the holding of a conference on the eradication of malaria, which requires serious discussion to eliminate diseases related to the environment. He pointed out that environmental health is not the responsibility of health alone but the responsibility of everyone.
Babiker stressed the need to re-implement surveys and scientific research related to environmental health, especially after the war, with the participation of academics, relevant authorities and partners, to put hands on challenges and problems, including food control, review all policies, and think outside the box to solve health promotion problems.
The Acting Minister of Health in Gedaref State and Acting Governor, Dr. Ahmed Al-Amin, said that the meeting came at a critical time, as its outputs must be clear to contribute to their implementation. He emphasized that the meeting should focus on environmental health and food control, given the multiple options available for their development. He called for breaking out of stereotypes and creating innovations to combat disease vectors.
The Director of the General Directorate of Basic Health Care, Dr. Musab Siddique, considered the meeting a good opening for the Ministry and Sudan, as it was the first meeting of the General Directorate of Care for the year 2026 in Khartoum. He noted the need for wise leadership in environmental health, thinking outside the box, and activating all levels of society to contribute to this effort.
The Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Food Control, Adel Khalifa, pointed out the importance of the meeting for health and all of Sudan due to the presence of a large number of epidemics such as malaria, dengue, cholera, and others. He noted that the meeting contributes to preparing for the return to Khartoum State, as well as solving the problems in the states after identifying their conditions and approving the 2026 Plan.