After nearly five decades of conflict, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the newest country in the world. But there is a significant gaps in South Sudan’s local public health workforces.
ROAD as a member of South Sudan health cluster aims to provide quality basic primary health care services and prevent health risks while strengthening the health care system. This aligns with the 2024 South Sudan health cluster’s goals of saving lives, reducing health risks, and enhancing resilience. ROAD will prioritize delivering life-saving health services and interagency health kits in line with humanitarian standards, considering disease patterns, seasonality, and trauma needs.
In 2024, ROAD aims to deliver life-saving health services to the communities, including returnees from Sudan. Collaboration with other clusters is crucial for more effective and integrated responses. However, private healthcare options are limited in many areas, making direct service delivery the primary approach. ROAD plans to explore unified cash-based modalities with other cluster members, the response will focus on a broad spectrum of health services, including maternal, child, and reproductive health, managing common and chronic diseases, neglected tropical diseases, mental health and psychosocial support and GBV. Sexual and reproductive health services, family planning, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, clinical management of rape, and supplies for vulnerable women and girls are key priorities. A referral mechanism will be used for secondary and tertiary health care services.
The response will be guided by universal health coverage principles, focusing on prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation for vulnerable groups. The plan will support health facilities and community-based systems, enhance coordination with authorities, and strengthen disease surveillance, reporting systems, and pre-positioning medical supplies and equipment in areas affected by the Sudan crisis, displacement, and natural hazards.
At the time, multiple challenges limited South Sudan’s ability to provide quality healthcare services to communities and rapidly respond to disease outbreaks. State and county-based structures that could support the national Ministry of Health (MOH) in monitoring the implementation of public health programs were either not well-coordinated or not in place. Public health services were delivered out of healthcare facilities that lacked the necessary infrastructure and staff. Long distances, limited transportation infrastructure, and insecurity related to ongoing conflicts made it difficult for communities to access facilities and for facilities to extend services into communities. These barriers also inhibited trainings for facility-based health workers on program guidelines and best practices in health service delivery.
To address these challenges, ROAD worked closely with the MoH both at the national, state and county level to assess how available resources could be used to strengthen health systems and build workforce capacity in South Sudan. ROAD is a key implementing agency for both MoH and International NGOs working in the health sector in the country. Your contribution will be highly appreciated