Abdel Halim Mohamed Halim (1910- 2009) was a distinguished physician, diplomat, educator and sports administrator. Dr Halim enjoyed a long medical career which spanned before and after Sudan's independence in 1956. His career was full of pioneering achievements, and he left a legacy of Sudanese consultants that he had trained and befriended.

Dr Halim was born in Omdurman, the most populous city in Sudan, which was then a British colony. He came from a family of prominent politicians and academics. He excelled at school and graduated the top of his class at the Kitchener school of medicine. Dr Halim continued his career at Kharthoum Hospital, as a house physician and then registrar. The Second World War interrupted his medical training in Britain, which he returned to after the war.

His career is remembered for the series of ‘firsts’ he achieved. He was the first Sudanese physician to become a member (1948) and later a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (1962). In 1950, Dr Halim became the first Sudanese physician to hold the posts of director of Omdurman Hospital, director of Khartoum Hospital and senior physician to the British colonial Sudan medical service. He retained the position of senior physician to the health ministry in post-independence Sudan.

Throughout his career, Dr Halim advocated for wider access to education for Sudanese people. He played an important role in educating Sudanese doctors at home and abroad, including those who went on to practise in Britain, Saudi Arabia, Libya and the Gulf States. He was remembered by his peers as a ‘brilliant diagnostician’ and ‘inspirational teacher’.  His rigorous medical rounds were remembered fondly by his students as being interspersed with poetry, proverbs, and verses from the Quran.

Dr Halim also played a key role in the literary and political movement pushing for Sudanese independence from British rule. After Sudan won independence, he stayed as a visiting professor at Khartoum University, eventually becoming chancellor.  

Alongside his medical career, Dr Halim was active in the promotion of sports in Sudan. He was chairman of the Sudan football association, president of the African football association, and president of the Sudan Olympic committee. 

Elizabeth Douglas, collections officer

References: 

Elhadd, Tarik A K A, 'Abdel Halim Mohamed Halim', Inspiring Physicians [accessed 24/09/2021]

ElRasoul, Dr Ahmed Hassab, 'Obituary Tribute to the late Dr. Abdel Halim Mohamed Abdel Halim Dr. Abdel Halim Mohamed Abdel Halim an extraordinary man, Sudan Med J May - Aug 2009:45(2) [accessed 24/09/2021]

Fadel, Omer, 'Abdel Halim obituary', The Guardian, 23 July 2009 [accessed 24/09/2021]

'Obituary: Abdel Halim Mohammed Abdel Halim'. Brit.med.J: 2009:338:2311 [accessed 24/09/2021]