The Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB), established in 1995, graduated over 3000 medical specialists and is currently enrolling over 4000 residents across 33 different specialty disciplines. The SMSB is currently witnessing reform characterised by role differentiation, decentralisation of training and expansion of capacity to respond to healthcare needs in Sudan and beyond. The aim of this program is to promote and institutionalise Diaspora engagement to support the specialty training and reform within the SMSB.
The SMSB is proposing a Diaspora Engagement Model (DEM) based on three streams: supporting discipline-oriented training, helping with cross-cutting generic training and enhancing institutional capacity of the board. The program involves identifying gaps and areas of needs in Sudan, developing an inventory of relevant Sudanese diaspora and implementing and monitoring the DEM. Implications and value: Engagement of diaspora is expected to address numerical and quality gaps in specialty training and impart lasting capacities that lead to sustainability. Positive return is expected in terms of health workforce development, health system strengthening and population health improvement.
Badr, E., Abdalla, F. and Abuagla, A. (2015): Engaging diaspora in promoting medical specialty training in Sudan: a proposed model. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Reconnecting Universities with the Discourse of Sustainable Inclusive Growth in Sudan, Vol. 2, pp. 103-114. WASD: Brighton, United Kingdom.
