Khartoum: The Federal Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the recommendations of the annual meeting of Sudan's Environmental Health Directors, which concluded its proceedings today in Khartoum. The Federal Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ali Babiker Sidahmed, stated during the closing session, 'We in the ministry are fully committed to implementing the meeting's recommendations,' stressing the importance of working with dedication and diligence for the benefit of Sudanese citizens.
According to Sudan News Agency, Dr. Sidahmed emphasized that environmental health is closely linked to public awareness, noting that citizens are essential partners in improving their surrounding environment. He called for post-war environmental health to exceed pre-war standards, urging attendees from all states, 'Dream big, envision excellent environmental health, and we will achieve what we can.' He further encouraged innovative thinking and the adoption of new approaches to support the development of environmental health in Sudan.
The Director of the General Directorate of Primary Health Care, Musab Siddiq, said environmental health concerns every citizen and remains a central issue in society. He stressed that all workers in the health field must exert extra effort to achieve the desired objectives.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Environmental Health and Food Control Administration in Khartoum State, Dr. Adil Khalifa Ismail, highlighted the need to remove significant overlaps in environmental health responsibilities and to strengthen partnerships with the private sector. He also underscored an important recommendation from the meeting: establishing a Sudanese Cleanliness Authority.
Dr. Ismail noted that discussions at the meeting addressed climate-related diseases and their impact on environmental health, as well as epidemic issues. He stressed that implementing the recommendations will require financial and technical support. 'We hope the recommendations see the light and become a lived reality, especially since environmental health in Sudan is starting from zero after the war,' he said.
Musab Siddiq said the annual meeting produced more than thirty recommendations aimed at reforming environmental health work and advancing the sector. He emphasized the need for greater capacity and removing overlaps between directorates to achieve these goals.
The two-day meeting, held at the Season Hotel in Khartoum, reviewed many pressing issues related to environmental health and formulated a new roadmap to guide the sector's development. Attendees agreed on thirty recommendations intended to improve environmental health services across Sudan, with extensive discussions of submitted papers resulting in proposals for practical reforms.