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IMGTI trainees from Sudan not granted further extension

By Catherine Reilly - 04th Nov 2024

IMGTI

Sudanese doctors who completed a HSE training initiative in 2023 have not been granted further permission to remain working in Ireland despite the ongoing conflict in their native country.

In 2023, Sudanese doctors who completed the two-year international medical graduate training initiative (IMGTI) were permitted to remain in Ireland for 12 months due to the war in Sudan.

According to minutes of the IMGTI operational committee meeting in May 2024: “It was agreed that the SMSB [Sudan Medical Specialisation Board] trainees who were granted an extension in 2023 are now required to leave Ireland in July as per the training agreement. It was further noted that the SMSB cohort (2022-2024) has been granted a 12-month extension from July 2024.”

Twenty Sudanese doctors completed the IMGTI in 2023 and a further 19 this year. Some 21 doctors from Sudan are due to finish the programme in 2025 and 28 in 2026.

The IMGTI enables suitably qualified overseas trainees to undertake a fixed period of active clinical training in Ireland. Under the IMGTI training agreement, participating doctors agree to return to their home country for a minimum of 12 months following their two-year period in Ireland.

The Department of Foreign Affairs currently “strongly” advises against all travel to Sudan. “Armed conflict, which broke out across Sudan on 15 April 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries. The security situation across the country is very volatile and may deteriorate further at any time.”

A HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent: “In 2023, given the active conflict in Sudan, the SMSB sought support to facilitate trainees due to return home to remain in Ireland for an additional 12 months.”

“Following discussions between the HSE, the Department of Justice, Work Permits, the Medical Council, the Forum [of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies] and SMSB, it was agreed those Sudanese doctors who were due to complete the IMGTI programme could remain in Ireland for an additional 12 months. In the interim, the SMSB have been working to restore training opportunities through collaboration with local and international partners.”

According to the HSE, the SMSB had confirmed that “despite the ongoing instability in certain regions of Sudan, significant progress has been made in restoring training activities and exams in several Sudanese states”. In tandem, the SMSB has “actively engaged with neighbouring countries to facilitate additional training opportunities to ensure continued formal training continues with the college”.

The HSE stated that the SMSB expressly wished to ensure the IMGTI programme is sustained given the training opportunities it provides for doctors to ultimately help improve healthcare services in Sudan.

“The HSE continues to work closely with our stakeholders in Sudan to ensure the integrity of the IMGTI programme is maintained in tandem with doctors returning to SMSB designated safe zones, or neighbouring countries, to facilitate ongoing training and ensure formal training with the college continues.”

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