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IntroductionAccess to medications for chronic diseases is a major component of effective disease management, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The armed conflict ongoing since April 2023 in Sudan has caused destruction to health infrastructures and thus severely disrupted medication supplies. This study aimed to assess effect of war in Sudan on the medication’s accessibility.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional community-based study was conducted during the period from July to December 2024. Total of 1000 Sudanese patients in conflict-affected areas were surveyed using a pre coded and pretested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed for this study in Arabic for easy understanding by the targeted population. Pilot study was done first, and the questionnaire was modified accordingly. All data was summarized in frequency tables. Chi square and binary logistic regression tests were done to assess the association between demographic characteristics of the participants and medications accessibility. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMore than half of the surveyed participants (59.7%) reported difficulty accessing medications. As a result, many sought alternatives through private healthcare facilities (35.0%) or local pharmacies (51.5%). The most common chronic conditions among respondents were diabetes (48.5%) and hypertension (33.3%). Inaccessibility to medications led to several adverse outcomes, including psychological distress (19.9%), worsening of symptoms (32.0%), increased hospital visits (16.3%), and reduced ability to work (24.8%). Some individuals resorted to traditional or herbal remedies (22.2%) or reduced their medication doses (12.0%) due to the lack of access. A significant association was found between medication inaccessibility and both the duration of displacement and monthly income (p < 0.001). Reported barriers to accessing medications included high costs (34.0%), low income (26.7%), insecurity (42.5%), and displacement-related challenges (29.9%).ConclusionThis study reveals that Sudan’s conflict has severely disrupted access to chronic disease medications due to widespread healthcare collapse, facility closures, and supply chain breakdowns. Both displaced and non-displaced populations face major barriers, worsened by economic hardship and the halt in local drug production. Heavy reliance on herbal remedies reflects medication scarcity. Immediate global intervention is essential to restore care and prevent further health deterioration.

Sudan's healthcare system has been severely disrupted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, limiting access to essential services and medications. Understanding health-seeking behaviors during such disruptions is critical to informing culturally appropriate public health responses, particularly regarding traditional medicine use. This study aimed to assessPatterns of Herbal Medicine Utilization for Hypertension During the Sudanese Crisis of 2025. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2025 among adults with physician-diagnosed hypertension who were prescribed antihypertensive medication at diagnosis. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire administered face-to-face using Kobo Toolbox. Convenience sampling yielded 749 valid responses. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean age was(56.8 ± 11.9) years; (54.1%) were female, (29.8%) were displaced and (50.5%) reported difficulty accessing antihypertensive medications. Herbal medicine use was reported by (91.2%); 65.2% used herbs before and during the crisis, and (19.8%) initiated use after the crisis began. Concurrent use of herb-drug use was reported by (71.7%), while adverse effects were uncommon(5.7%), and mostly mild. Lower income and rural residence were significantly associated with herbal use (p < 0.05). Herbal medicine use was wide spread among hypertensive Sudanese adults during the crisis, largely driven by affordability, accessibility challenges, and cultural familiarity. Given the high rate of concurrent use, public health messaging and clinician training on herb-drug safety should be prioritized.

Introduction Surgical site infections (SSI) represent a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems particularly in low-income countries with limited resources. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and counselling practices of medical personnel regarding the prevention of SSI in Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted. from June to December 2024. The target population included medical personnel involved in the surgical care in Sudan (surgeons, medical officers, house officers, final year medical students, operating room nurses, and ward nurses). Personnel not directly involved in surgical care were excluded. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants’ knowledge of SSI signs/symptoms, risk factors, and preventive techniques, as well as their counselling practices and perceived challenges to implementing SSI prevention strategies. Results The study included 403 participants. The majority (72%) correctly identified hand hygiene as a crucial preventive practice. However, a significant proportion (62.5%) incorrectly believed that routine preoperative shaving is recommended, indicating a common misconception. While (70.2%) correctly recognized antibiotic prophylaxis as important for reducing bacterial load, knowledge regarding its appropriate duration was variable. Only (37.2%) reported always providing preoperative counselling. Key challenges identified included limited resources, lack of updated guidelines and inadequate training. Conclusion Despite adequate awareness of certain preventive strategies, significant gaps in knowledge and inconsistent counselling practices persist. Education and training, the provision of up-to-date guidelines and ensuring resources availability are crucial interventions to reduce SSIs rates and improve surgical outcomes in Sudan.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality among surgical inpatients. Despite established international guidelines, adherence to prophylaxis protocols is often suboptimal in clinical practice. Objective To evaluate and improve adherence to VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis guidelines among surgical patients at Port Sudan Doctors Hospital through a structured clinical audit. Methods A two-cycle prospective clinical audit was conducted. The first cycle (September 2024) involved a retrospective review of 50 surgical inpatient records and a gap analysis through staff interviews and observations. A two-month intervention followed, introducing a standardized VTE risk assessment tool, staff training, and integration of clinical workflows. The second cycle (January-April 2025) included a prospective review of 41 patient records and qualitative staff feedback. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. Results Compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines improved significantly from 6% in the first cycle to 85.4% in the second. Patient education increased from 4% to 95.1%, and proper documentation of prophylaxis duration improved from 6% to 95.1%. The use of structured risk assessment tools (e.g., Caprini score) increased from 7.1% to 50%, while inappropriate pharmacological prophylaxis for low-risk patients was eliminated. Staff engagement and usability of tools were also enhanced. Conclusion Targeted interventions, including standardized risk assessment and focused staff education, significantly improved VTE prophylaxis practices. Sustained improvements will require continued auditing, digital integration of tools, and institutional support to promote long-term adherence and patient safety.