Why the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira (FMUG), Sudan has the potential to lead in social accountability: Reflections, opportunities and future directions

Abstract

Social accountability is an essential component for all medical schools as it deals with education, research and services. In this mini-review, we have discussed why the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira (FMUG), Sudan, can lead in social accountability in Africa and the Middle East. This critical analysis is based on searching the literature published in PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Google scholar. We added sections about reflection on opportunities and future direction for FMUG on social accountability. Many unique features in the curriculum that led to excellence in teaching, research and service, will qualify FMUG to lead in social accountability. The location in the heart of Sudan and being community-oriented medical education meant that FMUG, over the last 45 years, gained and mastered the art of social accountability. FMUG continues to be a leader in medical education and has a pioneer master's program in medical education. The majority of the graduates who are not staff members continued to support the medical school many years after their graduation (teaching, research and donation) and promote the concept of social accountability at the national and international level. The curriculum meets all of the competencies of social medicine. Hence, graduates are influential leaders in all medical specialties, and most importantly, in addressing the priority health concerns of the community in rural and urban areas. Therefore, through research and innovations, FMUG can establish social accountability alliance for medical schools and consider adding more unique components to the concept of social accountability (promotion of concept health made at home, especially during COVID-19 pandemic). For instance, retention and recruitment of doctors (training and promotion) and brain drain are main challenges to many health authorities in African and Middle East countries. Another area of innovation, is environmental social accountability of medical schools in order to develop environmentally sustainable solutions to address health concerns especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This of considerable importance as Gezira state has one of the largest irrigation agriculture schemes in the world. We believe that medical schools' concept of social accountability will continue to evolve, likely depending on the community's needs.