Geneva, May 22, 2026 (SUNA) – Federal Minister of Health Prof. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim met on Friday with the Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy, to discuss strengthening WHO support for Sudan’s health priorities on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The meeting addressed Sudan’s efforts in combating malaria and neglected tropical diseases, particularly mycetoma, as well as resource mobilization and health capacity-building. The WHO Regional Director expressed readiness to work with Sudan in exploring financing opportunities and technical support, and to highlight Sudan’s disease elimination efforts, including malaria initiatives. The meeting also discussed organizing a health partnerships event for Sudan involving the private sector, donors, charitable organizations, and partners, aimed at building trust and mobilizing national and international resources to support health priorities. The discussions further addressed the future governance of the health system, including the Federal Ministry of Health’s role in policy, planning, regulation, and resource mobilization, while empowering state and local levels in service delivery. The minister affirmed Sudan’s openness to WHO-led discussions on health system governance reform, noting that Sudan’s strategy is focused on strengthening the federal role in policy and oversight while gradually empowering states and localities. The meeting concluded with agreement to continue coordination in malaria control, disease elimination, resource mobilization, partnerships, and health system governance.BH/BH