(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan’s newly appointed Health Undersecretary, Dr Chol Makur Aciek, has prioritised the delivery of essential medicines and the welfare of health workers, including salaries unpaid for months, as he takes office.
Dr Makur made the commitment in remarks carried in a statement published by the Ministry of Health on 10th October, following his appointment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
A UNICEF team later paid a courtesy visit to his office to congratulate him and discuss continued collaboration under the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP).
According to the Ministry of Health’s own account of the meeting, the two sides discussed progress under the HSTP and what the ministry described as the importance of continued collaboration in building a resilient, sustainable and government-led health system for the people of South Sudan.
The HSTP is a government-led initiative funded by the World Bank and a consortium of donors. Its stated aim is to expand access to basic health and nutrition services, improve health sector leadership and coordination, and build a national health system led by the government.
The project is implemented through the Ministry of Health with UNICEF and the World Health Organization as managing organisations. About 28 implementing partner health NGOs deliver services across 40 lots nationwide, covering 1,158 health facilities .
Dr Makur said his priorities would include addressing the plight of health workers who have gone for months without salaries and ensuring that essential medicines reach health facilities, especially in rural areas where women, children and elderly people depend on basic medical services.
He expressed appreciation to health partners and donors for their continued support and reaffirmed his commitment to working with them to strengthen the health sector and improve access to essential healthcare services across the country.
The HSTP runs from 2024 to 2027. UNICEF and WHO serve as managing organisations, with about 28 implementing partner health NGOs delivering services across 40 lots nationwide .
The project supports 1,158 health facilities across the country.
