Towards Equity in Health: Integration of Institutional Self-Assessment Tool (ISAT) Indicators in the National Accreditation System of Medical Schools in Sudan

Abstract

The Institutional Self-Assessment Tool (ISAT), developed by the Towards Unity for Health (TUFH) network, is an evidence-based framework that enables medical schools to evaluate and enhance their performance in social accountability (SA). This paper advocates for the integration of social accountability standards adapted from ISAT and tailored to the context into Sudan’s national accreditation system for the evaluation of medical schools.

The Sudanese accreditation system was examined for social accountability standards. The Sudan Medical Council (SMC) identifies social accountability as a core value in medical education, yet it lacks measurable indicators across its nine domains. Other key policies and frameworks that might support this initiative were investigated. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHE&SR) accreditation standards, the Sudan National Health policies and strategies, the Sudan WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2022- 2025, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Sudan (2022–2024). These documents underscore the principles of social accountability, advocating for inclusivity and responsiveness to community health needs. As such, they support our advocacy for the integration of social accountability, providing an opportunity for success. However, some challenges cannot be overlooked, including resistance by traditional schools, financial constraints, as well as the ongoing armed conflict and its devastating implications on both the health and educational systems. This paper offers policy recommendations and practical steps for the implementation of the ISAT, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement and the adoption of a bottom-up approach to ensure sustainability and relevance to the local context.