Before I was displaced by the ongoing war in Sudan, I volunteered at a rural hospital to provide emergency and routine medical services while completing my medical education. There, I saw first-hand the devastating impact of conflict on the public healthcare system. The hospital was poorly equipped, and patients suffered immensely. Beyond drug shortages, many could not reach the hospital for treatment, and even when referred elsewhere, their movement was severely restricted.
A grim aspect of the war is the deprivation in hotspots, where access to healthcare and other basic services is limited. Sudan’s healthcare system has collapsed due to a severe shortage of personnel. Even the remaining healthcare professionals face danger, as they are often targeted by paramilitary forces. The situation is especially dire in underserved areas where conflict continues to escalate, such as in El Fasher, Kordofan, and previously in Khartoum and Gezira.
Conflict destroys the public health infrastructure, leading to shortages of medicines, insecurity for health workers and patients, and disruption of essential services. In times of war, diseases that receive very little attention, such as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) resurface, disproportionately affecting already vulnerable populations and perpetuating a cycle of poor health and poverty. It also interrupts government budget allocations and drives away donor support. Underserved areas suffer the most as violence intensifies.
Before the latest fighting, there were signs of progress. I have been part of Youth Combating NTDs, a youth-led advocacy initiative that supported me to encourage the government of Sudan to sign the Kigali Declaration on NTDs — a global commitment to end the suffering that these diseases bring to more than one billion people globally.
Although our work became restricted after the war reignited, we continued remotely despite our displacement — a testament to what young Sudanese can achieve when given the chance. We make up most of the population, and many of us are now the backbone of humanitarian response.
If these voices fall silent, Sudan’s crisis will vanish from global attention. The world has grown used to our suffering. Yet the collapse of healthcare in Sudan is not only a national disaster, but also a regional threat. Epidemics, and diseases such as NTDs do not respect borders.
Young people can act as a bridge for echoing social concerns and building a better Sudan and a better Africa. Their unique perspectives, amplified through innovative digital platforms, can help drive meaningful change. They are the primary voices raising awareness about the situation in Sudan through mass media. If these voices are silenced, Sudan’s conflict risks being forgotten entirely. Older generations play only a limited role in advocacy; it is the youth who continue to shed light on the crisis.
Youth engagement is especially vital within the national context. Sudanese young people are deeply aware of what is happening in their country and understand how to address the social and health determinants that affect their communities.
Having young people in leadership positions is equally beneficial. They are closer to the communities, often volunteer on the ground, and possess the innovation and digital literacy needed to raise awareness and advocate effectively. However, the potential of young people alone is not enough.
For Sudan’s health system to be rebuilt, we need political support from decision-makers, effective mentorship from experienced healthcare professionals, and—most importantly—sustained funding. Increased budget allocations are essential for youth-led initiatives, the Ministry of Health, and medical institutions. Without adequate funding, we cannot afford medicines or pay healthcare staff, and quality services will remain out of reach.
Sudan’s youth want to rebuild their country. I want to rebuild my nation’s health system. But we cannot do this alone. We need concerted efforts from the international community, political will from our leaders, and strong mentorship from experts.
In the theatre of war, I have witnessed suffering beyond words. But what weighs on me most is how preventable diseases like neglected tropical diseases continue to steal lives quietly. My vision is to help rebuild a Sudan where everyone can live free from these illnesses. Ending NTDs is, to me, the foundation of hope and renewal.
The writer, Fatima Elbasri Mohammed, is a Sudanese doctor and a youth combatting neglected diseases advocate.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.