Impact of Sudan’s armed conflict on pharmacy education and the institutional response amidst the crisis: a cross-sectional survey

The higher education system in Sudan has been jeopardized by the ongoing armed conflict; yet the impact on pharmacy education remains unclear. This study aimed to describe the conflict’s impact on pharmacy colleges and the strategies that were implemented to sustain educational activities. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Pharmacy colleges were eligible for inclusion if they were officially registered with the Sudan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and had at least one student cohort enrolled before 15th April 2023. A key informant from each college (a faculty member with a senior leadership role, typically the dean or vice dean) was selected. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was developed, created on Google Forms and sent via WhatsApp, Telegram or email. SPSS version 27 was used for analysis. A response rate of 66.7% (22 out of 33 colleges) was obtained. The role of key informants was principally dean (63.6%) or vice dean (27.3%). More than half of key informants (59.1%) had over five years of work experience at their institutes. Damage to physical and technological infrastructure was reported in 77.3% and 63.6% of colleges, respectively. Financially, 72.7% of colleges lost a significant amount of funding or revenue and had to make significant cuts (59.1%). Most colleges (90.9%) did not receive emergency funding or financial assistance from international or national aid organizations. Pharmacy field training (68.2%), clinical teaching in hospitals (66.7%), and practical teaching (68.2%) were the most disrupted educational activities. Measures to resume theoretical teaching included online learning (77.3%), use of a safe original or alternative location (18.2%), and establishing national (13.6%) or international (13.6%) collaborative centers. Final assessments were delayed in 45.5% of the colleges. The conflict also affected research activities, where 45.5% of colleges had to make adjustments. This conflict profoundly disrupted pharmacy education, significantly impairing infrastructure and academic continuity. Despite these challenges, institutions have exhibited resilience by employing adaptive strategies. Immediate assistance is required to rehabilitate this vital sector.