Health Minister Inspects ISTAC Lab and Cold Chain Facilities Damaged by RSF, Vows Rapid Restoration

Sudan’s Federal Minister of Health, Professor Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim, conducted a field visit to the historic ISTAC Laboratory, the Central Vaccine Cold Chain, and the National Public Health Institute, accompanied by senior officials from the ministry.

During the visit, the minister assessed the extensive damage caused by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to these vital health facilities, emphasizing that their rehabilitation is a top national priority. He noted that the ISTAC Laboratory has served as Sudan’s primary national reference center for epidemic control for over a century.

Professor Ibrahim confirmed that restoration efforts are already underway, including debris removal and power reconnection, as part of a three-phase plan to gradually reinstate essential services across the health sector.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health praised the remarkable dedication of Sudanese technical teams who have begun working tirelessly to revive these institutions. He added that the damage to the vaccine cold chain is repairable and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fully restoring the health system’s operational capacity in the coming period.

Public health experts say reviving ISTAC and the cold chain network is crucial to preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring the continuity of vaccination campaigns amid Sudan’s fragile humanitarian situation.