Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery in Sudan

Sudan

The OPEC Fund extended this Grant in 2014 to the Société Internationale d’Urologie (FSIU) to purchase surgical instruments, develop the curriculum, training program, repair and purchase missing urological equipment and operational plan at the Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery (GHRDS) for the underserved and underprivileged urological patients in Sudan. The Grant enhanced capacity of the Hospital for more surgical operations and patient referrals and also increased hospital personnel from 3 to 120 nurse. Other Grant ’s achievements are: Staffing increased from 2 to 6 consultants, Number of nurses increased from 3 to 120, Increase in the number of medical officers from 2 to 45 doctors, Number of paramedics increased from 3 to 52, State-of-the-art technologies have replaced much of the previous low-grade equipment, Training of more than 400 health professionals, Treatment of more than 5000 patients per year, Increase in the number of beds from 5 to 60 and increased haemodialysis capacity, Ureteroscopy (URS), Strictures, Infection control nursing. Gezira state (also spelt Al Jazirah) is one of the most populous states of Sudan. This serves a population of 5 million and is the only specialized urology hospital outside of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. In contrast to most hospitals in Khartoum, which work privately and do not provide treatment for free, this hospital was established with the aim of treating the underprivileged who cannot afford care for a nominal fee. In 2012, there were only 65 urologists in Sudan serving a population of 36 million. As of 2019, the population has increased substantially to an estimated 41 million. Thus, the need for urologic training and care is enormous. Both the Centre and region have growing needs and further funding to aid in medical training and equipment infrastructure is instrumental to build a lasting solution in a much-needed population. The University of Gezira is the second oldest university in Sudan and its Faculty of Medicine has developed several initiatives to promote health, which were very successful in advancing services and decreasing morbidity and mortality in the population. The FSIU provided equipment and instruments such as: Surgical instruments; Suture material, drains, and dressings; Flexible and rigid endoscope instruments and lenses; Catheters and disposables; Basic X-ray, fluoroscopy and contrast material; Ultrasound and probes. Noting that in 2005 also the OPEC Fund awarded the SIU a grant to facilitate the upgrading of the Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery (GHRDS). This funding allowed the hospital to purchase vital medical equipment (Urological Diathermy Unit and a Diagnostic Ultrasonography system) that helped in the diagnosis and treatment of thousands of patients. It also helped the Centre to establish itself as a specialized urology hospital and to become an important postgraduate training centre. The GHRDS is governed by an experienced and talented team that is committed to maintain its reputation as a center of excellence and referral for all of Sudan and East African nations, both for patients and urologists in training. The hospital remains dedicated to underserved and underprivileged patients. However, continued efforts in training from international colleagues, equipment, medical supplies, and resources are required for the sustainability and growth of GHRDS, especially after the withdrawal of the Republic of South Sudan and the dreadful devaluation of Sudan’s local currency.