Saving the Fundaments: Impact of a Military Coup on the Sudan Health System

Abstract

Military coups are not uncommon occurrences, particularly in developing nations
where political systems might be less firmly entrenched or still evolving. Developments
of this nature can often have profound implications for the affected nation’s healthcare
systems, both in the immediate aftermath and over the longer term. This paper
narrates some notable consequences of political instability on the national health
system, particularly placing them in the context of the military coup in October
2021 – emphasizing the context behind the political turbulence, its acute and direct
consequences, and the possible long-term legacies of political shocks on the already
overwhelmed health system. As a descriptive piece, this narrative does not only look
at the impact of the military coup on hospitals, but further considers the different
dimensions of the healthcare system as defined by the WHO, therefore reflecting
the wider implications on health funding from multi-laterals, service delivery, human
resource availability, and medical and vaccine supply chains in Sudan.