By Brynne Gilmore
It was apparent during a recent conference on the migration of Sudanese doctors held in Galway that Sudan may be out of sight for many but it is definitely not out of mind.
Last month (9 June, 2012) the Sudanese Medical Association (UK & Ireland), hosted the Migration of Sudanese doctors: dynamics and opportunities conference. It was the SMA’s fourth international conference, the first in Ireland, and brought together health professionals from Sudan and Ireland including Sudan’s Federal Minister of Health Bahar Idriss Abugarda. The conference’s objective was to highlight the significance and impact of Sudanese doctors’ migration.
Throughout the conference members of the SMA were eager to participate, discuss and share ideas on how to give back to the health sector in Sudan.
During his opening address, Dr. Mahir Hamed, President of the SMA, asked how junior doctors in Sudan and Ireland can be helped. Annual commitments to work for several months in a Sudanese hospital or to teach in medical schools in Sudan were briefly discussed. Exchange programs or initiatives to bring Sudanese medical students to learn for a period of time in Ireland also gained support from the conference attendees.
Notions of assisting in policy development or medical school curriculum that can draw on the experiences of seasoned Sudanese-Irish professionals were discussed. Also, the idea of researchers using Sudan as a setting to conduct large scale studies was brought up during the working group session. This not only provides researchers with large population samples, but would assist in increasing local capacities by training individuals to be members of research teams.
However, discussions were not limited to Sudan. The SMA is happy to extend its work to all countries in need, first and foremost South Sudan. As brought up several times throughout the conference, SMA’s lack of political affiliation allows for collaboration with different countries and institutions.
Although discussions were mostly held around what more the SMA can do to support Sudan’s health service, it is important to acknowledge current contributions from its members and other Sudanese-Irish doctors.
A study by Nuha Ibrahim, a PhD candidate at Trinity College, Dublin, found Sudanese doctors who migrate to Ireland support five family members on average back home. Along with providing financial support, many migrated doctors contribute to strengthening Sudan’s health sector. Efforts to increase training for medical students and other health staff are already underway as evidenced by the Sudan Health Library, an online database. Dr. Abobakr Shadad, lecturer at the Discipline of Medicine at NUI Galway and Deputy President of the SMA, says the database provides educational resources and facilitates collaboration and sharing of experiences between peers and instructors worldwide.
It was apparent throughout the conference that most doctors’ desire to assist Sudan and its medical professionals goes far beyond yearly visits and networking from Ireland. The majority of Sudanese-Irish doctors - 89% according to Ms. Ibrahim – eventually want to move back to Sudan. Efforts being taken by many doctors currently living in Ireland are ways to stay connected and do as much as possible for their home country and its citizens until circumstances are right for their permanent return.
Regardless of where many Sudanese-Irish doctors are located, one thing is for sure: neither Sudan nor Ireland are ever far from their thoughts. As stated by Dr. Shadad: “We are half Irish, half Sudanese. Our children are Irish. That is our country. This is our country.”
The SMA is an independent, non-governmental, academic organisation that formed in 2010 to upgrade health services in Sudan through collaboration and integration of teams in Europe and Sudan.
Dear Brynne,
Iam one of the Sudanese doctors who left Sudan in 2000 because the regfime which is led by criminal Omer Elbashir has caused great damage to the infrastructures and the social well being of Sudanese people.The General Bashir Islamic regime has killed more than 250 000 Sudanese in Darfur and the the Sudanese Medical Association (UK & Ireland) is the Medical arm which fully support this regime.Please recosider writing about this association in the Name of Sudanese doctors.
thanks
he SMA is an independent, non-governmental, academic organisation that formed in 2010 to upgrade health services in Sudan through collaboration and integration of teams in Europe and Sudan.
qote:
this is not true Dr: Kabello and Dr:Sheikh Esidiq,and Dr: Shadad are supporters of the Islamist regime that caused most of Sudanese doctor to flee Sudan
Now those who you mentioned are members of the Islamic front party that ruling now Sudan.
Please make your researches before writing about these people.The SMA has been created by the goverment in 2010!! to combat the Original Sudanese doctor union in UK and Ireland which has been founded in 1967.
Dear Byrrne,
Of course you know Omer Elbashir, the most wanted president ever.He has been accused of mass killing of his own people in most parts of Sudan and he is at large now .The ICC has issued a warrant to capture him to appear before the court.Namely Dr:Shiek Sadiq and Dr:Kabello,who both attended the conference has direct rule in the torturing of doctors leaders who carried out the famous strike last year.
How come that the same people who caused the mass flee of doctors,come and talk about the causes !!!!!!!!!!!
come on Byrrne>
Dear Brynne,
Iam one of the Sudanese doctors who left Sudan in 2000 because of the regime which is led by criminal Omer Elbashir,which has caused great damage to the infrastructures and the social well being of Sudanese people.The General Bashir Islamic regime has killed more than 250 000 Sudanese in Darfur and the the Sudanese Medical Association (UK & Ireland) is the Medical arm which is created by the regime and fully support by it .
The SMA is dependent, governmental,non- academic organisation that formed in 2010 by the Islamic regime to combat the original elected Sudanese doctors in Uk and Ireland and has been founded in 1967.
Dr: Kabello and Dr:Sheikh Esidiq,and Dr: Shadad are supporters of the Islamist regime that caused most of Sudanese doctor to flee Sudan>
Now those who you mentioned are members of the (Islamic front party) that ruling now Sudan.
Of course you know Omer Elbashir, the most wanted president ever.He has been accused of mass killing of his own people in most parts of Sudan and he is at large now .The ICC has issued a warrant to capture him to appear before the court.
Namely Dr:Shiek Sadiq and Dr:Kabello,who both attended the conference has direct rules in the torturing of doctors leaders who carried out the famous strike last year.
How come that the same people who caused the mass flee of doctors,come and talk about the causes !!!!!!!!!!!
Please make some researches before writing about those who are supporting the criminal regime.writing is a great responsibility and we have to be up to our irresponsibility.
Many thanks
Dr:Murtada
Sudanese doctor.
السودان اليوم يعانى الجميع فيه وليس الاطباء وحدهم . فالوضع الاقتصادى المتردى دعا الجميع الى البحث عن لقمة العيش فى بلدان افضل . وقد قامت الحكومة الليبية بفتح الفرص امام العديد من ذوى الخبرة
Google translation into English: Sudan today, everyone is suffering in not only the doctors. Deteriorating economic situation has called on everyone to look for a better living in other countries. The Libyan government has opened opportunities for many of those who are experienced.
Dear Murtada, Brynne and All,
I suppose the real question, for us as migrant Sudanese doctors, is that:
Based on our good medical training and experience that we obtained in UK / Ireland, can we extend some of our knowledge and experience to help our country “Sudan” in medical and health aspects such as training of doctors, nurses and midwives ???
This question is not only valid for migrant Sudanese doctors, but also valid for all migrant African health professionals who are living abroad and wanting to help their people back home, especially in health matters.
You might have a politically corrupt government, but does that mean you stop your medical efforts to help the people of that country ???
And do you then start accusing those who want to help the health situations there, of being part of the political agenda of the government of that country ???
What do you think about International health organizations such as WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS which are working in African countries known to have corrupt governments ? Do you accuse such organizations of providing political support to governments there ???
Dr. Murtada, if you ask the experts in International / global health, they will tell you that in order to intorduce any change in a health system, you have to engage with stakeholders and health policy makers in that health system, and Sudan is not an exception.
Thanks so much Brynne for the very interesting article.
Regards,
Mohamed
Dear Murtada, Brynne and All,
I suppose the real question, for us as migrant Sudanese doctors, is that:
Based on our good medical training and experience that we obtained in UK / Ireland, can we extend some of our knowledge and experience to help our country “Sudan” in medical and health aspects such as training of doctors, nurses and midwives ???
This question is not only valid for migrant Sudanese doctors, but also valid for all migrant African health professionals who are living abroad and wanting to help their people back home, especially in health matters.
You might have a politically corrupt government, but does that mean you stop your medical efforts to help the people of that country ???
And do you then start accusing those who want to help the health situations there, of being part of the political agenda of the government of that country ???
What do you think about International health organizations such as WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS which are working in African countries known to have corrupt governments ? Do you accuse such organizations of providing political support to governments there ???
Dr. Murtada, if you ask the experts in International / global health, they will tell you that in order to intorduce any change in a health system, you have to engage with stakeholders and health policy makers in that health system, and Sudan is not an exception.
Thanks so much Brynne for the very interesting article.
Regards,
Mohamed
Sudanese Doctor