Sudan, a nation historically marked by a complex tapestry of ethnicities, cultures, and political turmoil, has endured a recent wave of conflict in April 2023. This wave has been particularly devastating for its immediate toll on human lives and its far-reaching impact on various sectors, including healthcare.

As of September 2023, over one million individuals evacuated Sudan, with at least 4.3 million experiencing displacement within the country, as reported by the United Nations. This displaced population encompasses notable professionals, including physicians, scientists, emerging researchers, and students [1] (Fig. 1 shows conflict regions and population displacement since the start of the war on 15 April 2023).

As per the initial findings of the Sudanese Doctors Union committee, as of May 2023, approximately 68% of hospitals near conflict zones were non-operational. Among the 88 hospitals located in the capital and affected states, 60 are currently inactive, and the remaining 28 are operating either fully or partially, only offering basic first aid services and facing imminent closure due to shortages in medical staff, supplies, water, and electricity [2].

This study aims to shed light on the profound ramifications of the conflict on surgical practice in Sudan and to gauge the war's impact on surgical procedures as an objective metric and, thereby, as an indicator of the broader consequences for the healthcare system. Our findings will contribute to the growing body of literature on healthcare in conflict settings and inform policy decisions to improve access to surgical services in Sudan and similar regions worldwide.