Volunteers Rebuild Sudans Oldest Psychiatric Hospital After War Destruction

A Sudanese Family Returns Home, Struggles with Son’s Addiction

Rafeeda Abubakr and her husband have returned home to Khartoum, Sudan, after two years of displacement due to civil war. The family, originally from Shuqailab, had fled to al-Duwaym in White Nile State when the conflict began on April 15, 2023.

Upon their return, Rafeeda brought her 21-year-old son Muaz home and sought treatment for his addiction to methamphetamine, also known as “ice.” The family discovered that Al-Tijani Al-Mahi Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Khartoum, offered free treatment for patients with trauma and addiction. They have been attending the hospital every two weeks since November.

The hospital’s facilities were severely damaged during the war, with medical equipment and furniture stolen or looted. Despite these challenges, the team behind the War Patients Initiative continues to provide care to patients. The hospital’s director, Dr. Mai Mohamed Youssef, has worked tirelessly to reopen the facility after it was initially ordered for demolition.

Youssef, who had spent her career at Al-Tijani Al-Mahi, refused to accept the decision and instead fought to reverse it. With the help of some colleagues, she succeeded in reopening the hospital on July 13, 2025. The team has since established a functioning pharmacy and set up solar panels to power basic operations.

Rafeeda reported that her son is showing improvement with treatment, which has brought her relief. However, the economic hardships caused by the war have slowed down the rehabilitation process. The needs of patients are vast, and the team continues to work through the challenges to provide care to those in need.

Source: Al Jazeera