Early life and education seated in the centre. Bedri is seated on the left|left Ali Babiker Bedri was born on 26 November 1903 in
Rufaa,
Blue Nile state. He was the son of
Sheikh Babiker Bedri, a
Mahdist War veteran and pioneer of women's education in Sudan. Ali Bedri received his early education in Rufaa, where his father established schools. He later attended the
Gordon Memorial College in Khartoum, where he graduated as a teacher in 1923. Although he initially pursued a career in teaching, he decided to switch to medicine and became one of the first students to enrol in the
Kitchener School of Medicine. In 1928, he graduated with distinction and worked as a medical officer in
Singa,
Dongola, the
Nuba Mountains, and
Sennar. Bedri later went on to become one of the first Sudanese to hold the position of senior medical officer at Omdurman Hospital and Khartoum Hospital. In 1937, he travelled to the United Kingdom for postgraduate training at
Hammersmith Hospital. He was made a Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians in 1952.
Career Upon his return to Sudan, Bedri was appointed as the first Sudanese doctor to hold the position of assistant deputy director of medical services under
Eric Pridie. His prior experience as a medical inspector in various regions of Sudan allowed him to understand the country's health issues and the importance of creating an efficient medical service. With a limited budget and the challenging conditions of
World War II, Bedri had the difficult task of determining priorities. Guided by his British teachers and senior colleagues, he developed the vision that made him the first architect of an independent Sudanese medical profession. and although his civil servant status restricted him from overt political activities, he firmly believed in Sudanese independence. In 1948, Bedri was elected as a member of the first legislative assembly and subsequently appointed as the
Minister of Health. Bedri served as Minister of Health in Sudan from 1948 to 1952, during which time he played a significant role in the development and expansion of the country's healthcare services. and worked with the
Red Crescent. Director of the Family Planning Association, and founded the first girls' school in the Sudan.
Personal life and death Bedri married Hurum El Amin. Together they had a son, four daughters, and a total of twelve grandchildren. Bedri died on 13 January 1987. == Awards and honours ==