Khartoum - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Asthma is a particular health concern because of the poor air quality. Quality of available medical care is poor, and you will not be going to any local offices or hospitals unless it is an emergency. The Health Unit has fantastic local staff members, and the RMO is stationed here. The typical evacuation point is London, with some people going to Johannesburg. Evacuation is, of course, on a case-by-case basis, but you don’t fool around in Khartoum. The RMO will evacuate you if necessary. - Feb 2018
Food-borne illnesses are a real concern, and if you get an eye infection, insist on medical evacuation. There's a type of infection here that several people have suffered from that will cause permanent damage, even blindness, if not promptly treated. The dust causes a lot of respiratory difficulties. Lots of flies and mosquitoes in the summer months, and the heat is intense. Malaria and cholera outbreaks have been common.
There is one hospital here that is used by the embassy and has most diagnostic technology available, including CAT scan and MRI. Medical staff are poorly trained however, so it's not recommended to have any significant medical procedures done here. The embassy maintains a clinic which will take care of most of your non-emergency medical needs. - May 2017
Lots of food born illnesses, malaria, e coli, cholera, eye infections, respiratory issues, allergy reactions. The dust, pollution, and lack of hygiene in public settings, particularly those offering food, can have dire consequences. However, few cases are ever serious and Khartoum staffs a full time doctor. - Nov 2016
Malaria is a concern. There are at least two officially approved hospitals in Khartoum. I don't know what is available outside the capital. - Oct 2016
Aside from mosquito-borne illnesses you will have a lot of digestive problems. The tap water is usually full of e-coli or fungi as well. The medical care is nothing you would want to go to. We keep having entry level RMOs who aren't terribly good at getting you the care you need, so self-care if very important. Local medical doctors only get a four year degree (equivalent of a Bachelor's) before being able to be doctors. No medical boards to speak of. It's best to get a medevac or get medical care while on R&R and avoid the health unit. - Mar 2016
Medical care in Khartoum is very poor. However, medical care in our embassy clinic is excellent, and we have a very professional, very friendly, and very caring medical staff. - Jun 2015
Malaria, a lot of food and water borne illnesses, skin conditions, what have you. The local medical care is terrible. You'll have to get out of the country to see a real doctor for almost anything. - Mar 2015
You will get sick sooner or later. Usually stomach bugs. It's a tight community so someone is always willing to run out and get you some ginger ale or pepto from the pharmacy. Basic care is available at the Embassy. Anything serious is pretty much an automatic medevac. Malaria is a problem, take your pills! - Apr 2014
you can some medical treatments on the local economy, but anything major requires medevac to London. - Jun 2011
No special health concerns. The quality of medical care is pretty good. - Apr 2010
For serious health issues it is better to leave Sudan. - May 2009
Vigilance (ie mosquito nets and repellant), but not profylaxis, with regard to malaria is necessary. Water borne diseases not a huge problem. We never bothered to disinfect fruit and vegetables, for example. - Sep 2008
