Federal Health Minister Inspects Infectious Diseases and Tropical Teaching Hospitals

In a field visit on Monday, Federal Minister of Health Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, accompanied by the Director General of the Khartoum State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Badri, and a number of senior officials from both ministries, inspected the progress of work at the Tropical Diseases Teatching Hospital and Abu Anja Hospital in Omdurman. The visit focused on assessing urgent needs required to resume full operations and establish permanent isolation centers at both facilities.

Speaking to the press following the visit, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim stated that the hospitals hold special significance, particularly after suffering extensive destruction caused by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. He explained that the Tropical Teaching Hospital specializes in the treatment of tropical and infectious diseases, including fevers, leishmaniasis, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and other conditions. Meanwhile, Abu Anja Hospital is responsible for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

The Minister revealed that several organizations have committed to supporting rehabilitation and maintenance efforts. He further announced that the remaining departments at Abu Anja Hospital are scheduled to resume operations by mid-June, in light of the increasing number of cases, and directed that a list of urgent requirements be submitted immediately.

Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that Khartoum State has made significant progress in restoring health services across various sectors. He noted that plans are underway to establish and equip permanent isolation centers in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen preparedness and response to disease outbreaks.

For his part, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Badri, Director General of the Khartoum State Ministry of Health, announced the commencement of preparations to establish isolation centers at both the Tropical Teaching Hospital and Abu Anja Hospital in the coming days. He pointed to directives from the Federal Minister of Health to ensure these centers are fully equipped to respond to any emergency situation, while also pledging to review operational budgets for hospitals across the state.

During the visit, the directors of both hospitals presented reports on the current situation and outlined their urgent and long-term needs, including maintenance requirements and the provision of ambulance vehicles.