MRC Fund-Raising Campaign for Mycetoma Patient in Sudan
Donation protected
The Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum,
WHO Collaborating Center on Mycetoma and Skin NTDs
Appeal for Support
The Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC) at the University of Khartoum stands as an inspiration of hope in the global battle against mycetoma, a neglected tropical disease. Established in 1991, it has been the sole WHO Collaborating Centre dedicated to mycetoma research, offering invaluable expertise and leadership in the field. However, the relentless conflict in Sudan has wrought havoc upon the MRC, jeopardising its capacity to provide essential care, conduct groundbreaking research, and engage communities effectively. Urgent action is imperative to rehabilitate the MRC and uphold its critical role in combating mycetoma and supporting affected individuals.
The ongoing war in Sudan has inflicted severe damage on the MRC, disrupting patient care, international collaboration, and vital research initiatives. More than 12,000 mycetoma patients have been left without adequate care due to the conflict, leading to shortages of essential medications and disturbances in treatment protocols. This interruption in care has plunged patients into uncertainty and deprived them of access to life-saving interventions they once received freely.
Furthermore, the conflict has dealt a crippling blow to the MRC's research endeavours. Laboratories once bustling with scientific inquiry now lie dormant, halting ongoing projects and stifling potential breakthroughs in understanding and treating mycetoma. International collaboration, crucial for the MRC's success, has been severely hindered, impeding the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources essential for addressing mycetoma comprehensively on a global scale.
The repercussions of the war extend beyond patient care and research, impacting the MRC's infrastructure, staff, and community engagement efforts. State-of-the-art research facilities now face decay due to a lack of maintenance, endangering specialised equipment vital for diagnosis, genetic studies, and drug development. Additionally, the safety of MRC staff and researchers is compromised as they navigate the hazardous landscape of war-torn Sudan to continue their mission.
Community engagement initiatives, once instrumental in raising awareness and promoting understanding of mycetoma, are now in jeopardy. Fear and uncertainty resulting from the conflict make it challenging to sustain outreach programmes and educate communities about early detection and prevention strategies. Moreover, the closure of the Mycetoma Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Centre further exacerbates the economic vulnerability of affected individuals and undermines community resilience.
The cumulative impact of these challenges threatens the MRC's ability to function optimally, jeopardising the comprehensive care that mycetoma patients rely on. Despite the severity of the situation, international support for the MRC has been inadequate. It is imperative that the global health community mobilises urgently to mitigate the far-reaching consequences of the war on mycetoma patients and dedicated professionals.
In response to this crisis, a comprehensive rehabilitation plan must be implemented to restore the functionality of the MRC, support its staff, and rejuvenate its critical mission. This entails addressing immediate needs such as the provision of essential medications, maintenance of research facilities, and ensuring the safety of personnel. Additionally, sustained investment in long-term capacity-building initiatives, research collaborations, and community engagement programs is essential to safeguard the gains made in mycetoma research and patient care.
In conclusion, the rehabilitation of the Mycetoma Research Centre is not only a matter of urgency but also a moral imperative. The global health community must unite in solidarity to support the MRC and uphold its vital role in advancing the fight against mycetoma and promoting the health and well-being of affected individuals worldwide.
Our priority is secure medicines for the affected patients to be dispense free of charge in rural mycetoma units located outside the war zone.
For additional details, please visit the MRC website at www.mycetoma.edu.sd
Important links:
• https://www.rstmh.org/news-blog/blogs/mycetoma-crisis-in-sudan-collateral-damage-of-the-ongoing-war
Organizer
Lamis Fahal
Organizer