'The Evolution of Modern Medicine in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 1924-1956', by Dr Tarik Elhadd

A full recording of the event at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), where Dr Tarik Elhadd's book was launched, on 9 December 2023.

Dr Elhadd’s book is about the evolution of modern medical practices in the Sudan including curative medicine, public health, medical research, and education. It covers an important era from 1924, when the first medical school in the country was inaugurated, up until the Independence of Sudan in 1956. The Sudan, known during this period as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was not officially a British colony. The British came during zenith of the 'Great Scramble for Africa' and Kitchener's appeal for the Gordon Memorial College set the platform for modern education in the Sudan, and following his demise, his call to establish a medical school in the country was heeded. The medical school inaugurated in 1924 became the third of its kind in Africa, which helped the mesh of expanding the service to remote parts of the country. The author and translator of more than seven books on the history of Sudanese medicine walks us through a comprehensive and authoritative description of the formative years of the Kitchener School of Medicine, events, dates, progress, and role in the foundation of almost all healthcare institutions. In addition, the book analyses the evolution of Sudan's medical services, teaching, training, and research. - Professor Ahmed El Safi, Sudan Medical Heritage Foundation

From Christian missionaries working within the colonial project of civilizing the natives, to the training of doctors, nurses and midwives who came after them, the author, a medical doctor himself, offers a coherent narrative supported by detailed historical events, and punctuated by gripping life histories of both pioneer European and Sudanese doctors.