The Role of Interventional Radiology in Patients Management during Sudan War 2023-2024: A Western Sudan Experience

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the availability of interventional radiology services in Western Sudan from 2023 to 2024, during the Sudan War. This study aimed to evaluate the role of interventional radiology in the country's ongoing conflict. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study with a prospective component that was conducted at El-Obeid International Hospital in North Kordofan State, Sudan, in August and September 2024. All information on patients who had interventional radiology operations between August 15th, 2023 and August 15th, 2024 was obtained from the hospital. Results: The findings revealed that 41% of the 131 patients received operations in the Interventional Radiology Clinic and 59% in the Catheterization Laboratory department. Among the 131 patients, 55% were men and 45% were women. The most common age group for undergoing IR treatments was 46-65 years, followed by ≥65 and 18-45 years, with incidence rates of 40%, 34%, and 25%, respectively. 41% of the procedures were performed in the interventional radiology clinic, with 59% performed in the catheterization laboratory. The most common technique was permacath implantation (36%). Conclusion: The ongoing conflict between 2023 and 2024 aggravated the situation. As a result, our study discovered that the only IR facility in Western Sudan during this difficult time is based in El-Obeid and serves seven states. This was exemplified by a severe breakdown in the healthcare system, the loss of basic needs, great poverty, and the plight of the refugees.