FMoH and WHO Review Sudan’s Preparedness to Respond to Ebola Outbreak
Khartoum – A joint meeting was held today at the office of the Federal Minister of Health in Khartoum between the Undersecretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ali Babiker, accompanied by senior ministry officials, and a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, led by Thomas Mouley, Director of Emergencies, with the participation of the WHO Sudan Country Office. The meeting reviewed Sudan’s preparedness to respond to the Ebola outbreak currently affecting some African countries.
Dr. Ali Babiker stressed the need for more serious and practical measures to prevent the disease from entering Sudan. He called for the provision of essential supplies and equipment, particularly for the National Public Health Laboratory, in addition to strengthening the health workforce through advanced training, ensuring the readiness of isolation centers, and strictly enforcing health regulations at land border crossings and airports with the support of law enforcement authorities.
The Undersecretary also urged international organizations to provide greater support for health interventions in hard-to-reach areas.
Speaking to the press, Acting Director General of the Health Emergencies and Epidemic Control Department, Dr. Al-Fadil Mohammed Mahmoud, confirmed that Sudan has not recorded any Ebola cases. However, he noted that the risk remains due to ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
He explained that the WHO delegation visited Sudan to assess national preparedness across all key areas, including points of entry, implementation of the national preparedness plan, readiness of isolation facilities, community awareness on Ebola transmission and prevention, training of healthcare workers and laboratory personnel, and enhanced surveillance at border crossings and airports amid continued cross-border movement.
Dr. Mahmoud added that the Ministry presented its comprehensive preparedness plan, developed with the participation of all relevant departments and partner organizations, while commending WHO’s continued support in strengthening Sudan’s capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.