About Mycetoma Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive morbid inflammatory disease usually of the foot but any part of the body can be affected. Infection is most probably acquired by traumatic inoculation of certain fungi or bacteria into the subcutaneous tissue. Mycetoma commonly affects young adults, particularly males aged between 20 and 40 years, mostly in developing countries. People of low socioeconomic status and manual workers such as agriculturalists, labourers and herdsmen are the worst affected. The image on the left shows the Mycetoma (aka Madura) Belt in Sudan and specific foci. For more information about the condition click here
The Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC) was established in 1991 in Soba University Hospital to provide an integrated high quality medical care for Mycetoma patients, superb research and excellent education and teaching in the various aspects of Mycetoma. The center is recognized globally as a world leader and an authoritative advisor in Mycetoma management and research.
The staff members are of medical, health and science backgrounds; they are interested in all facets related to Mycetoma and have good track records in patients’ management, teaching, research and community development.Through clinical and basic research, the staff of the center has continually explored new approaches to patients’ management.
MRC Director Professor Ahmed Hassan Fahal MBBS, FRCS, FRCSI, MD, MS, FRCP(London) Professor of Surgery Faculty of Medicine University of Khartoum
Professor Fahal graduated from the University of Khartoum and trained in General Surgery & Vascular Surgery in Khartoum and London. He is a Consultant Surgeon at Soba University Hospital, Sudan.
He is Director of the Mycetoma Research Centre, Sudan and the Chairman of the Mycetoma Research Group, Institute of Endemic Diseases. He was the Director of the Self Evaluation, Quality Enhancement & Accreditation, & was the University of Khartoum Academic Secretary. Prof. Fahal was also the Director of the Educational Development Centre, University of Khartoum in the period between 2000 and 2006.
He is a member of the Ethical Committees of the Institute of Endemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum and the Federal Ministry of Health. Prof. Fahal was the Research Board Secretary, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan (1996 - 2001).
He is the local Secretary of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and a member of many learned societies locally, regionally and internationally. He was coordinator of Human Development program, WHO, Sudan and he is a WHO Consultant in Medical Education. He was the Assistant Editor of Sudan Medical Journal, Member of the Advisory Board, the Transactions of the Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
He published more than 140 scientific articles (80 in Mycetoma), author of a book on mycetoma’ “Mycetoma: Clinico-pathological Monograph†and many textbooks’ chapters, booklets and guidelines.
He was awarded the State of the Sudan Golden Medal for Excellence and the Promotion of Scientific Innovation in Medicine in 2000.
"Mycetoma Clinicopathological Monograph" by Prof. Ahmed Hassan Fahal, Director of MRC
Publication of Mycetoma Management Guidelines for clinicians
Mobile surgical unit at endemic villages
The clinical services are provided by a group of well trained clinicians, pathologists and radiologists as well as an expert team of nurses and social workers as follows:
General Laboratory Investigations
Lesion ultrasonic examination
Lesion fine needle aspiration for cytology.
MRI and CT scan are requested for certain patients with advanced disease to determine the extent and treatment lines.
The centre has a registry of more than 6500 patients.
Support the Mycetoma Research Center The Mycetoma Research Center Foundation is a registered charity (No 18889) whose aim is to promote treatment and care of affected patients, research and education into mycetoma.
To donate
Please send your donations to
Soba University Hospital
Khartoum, Sudan
