The Arab League is seeking to mobilise Arab funding and assistance for priority health projects in Sudan, as the country’s healthcare system continues to suffer the devastating consequences of more than three years of war.
Sherif Kamel, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Office of the Arab League Secretary-General, met with Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim on Tuesday at the League’s headquarters in Cairo, on the sidelines of the 65th session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers.
The meeting followed Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy’s recent visit to Sudan and reflected the organisation’s commitment to monitoring developments in the country and following up on the outcomes of his visit.
Discussions focused on Sudan’s pressing needs and ways to strengthen Arab support for the country’s health sector during the current crisis.
During the meeting, Ibrahim presented a number of priority projects proposed by Sudan’s Ministry of Health. The Arab League’s General Secretariat will coordinate efforts to mobilise support for these initiatives with member states, as well as relevant Arab funds and institutions.
Sudan’s healthcare system has suffered extensive damage since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, with attacks on medical facilities, shortages of medical supplies and the killing and detention of health workers disrupting access to essential services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 37% of health facilities across Sudan’s 18 states remained non-functional in 2026, reflecting the scale of disruption to medical services.
Furthermore, a report by Insecurity Insight, issued on November 9 and covering October 16–31, recorded 807 attacks on healthcare in Sudan between April 2023 and September 30, 2026, with more than 55% attributed to the RSF.
The report also documented at least 232 attacks on and damage to health facilities, alongside the killing of 222 health workers, the arrest of 144 others and the kidnapping of 16.
Photo Credit: Al Jazeera
The conflict has also fuelled disease outbreaks and increased the burden on already overstretched medical facilities. Millions of people continue to face difficulties accessing essential treatment, particularly in areas affected by ongoing fighting and displacement.
Against this backdrop, the Arab League’s latest initiative seeks to enhance regional coordination and mobilise financial and institutional resources to help address Sudan’s most urgent health priorities.
