State Ministers Demand Bigger Health Budget for South Sudan

(JUBA) – State health ministers have made a united call for South Sudan to raise its health budget from 1.4 percent of national spending to the 15 percent target set in the 2001 Abuja Declaration, as a one day ministerial meeting concluded in the capital.

The Annual Ministerial Advisory Board Meeting, held by the Ministry of Health together with the World Health Organization and the Health Sector Transformation Project, brought together national and state health leaders, directors general and senior officials.

The talks focused on persistent gaps in the health system and ways to build sustainable solutions.

State ministers said the government must mobilise funding from both oil and non-oil revenues to meet the Abuja pledge.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, National Minister of Health Luke Thompson Thoan said the country must work with the limited means available while pushing for more domestic funding and government ownership:

“We should be aiming to push for the increase of health funding to at least seven percent of the national budget.” 

WHO Representative in South Sudan Dr Humphrey Karamagi called for what he termed a business unusual approach to transform the sector. He said achieving the five strategic areas of focus requires new thinking.

Continued cooperation between national and state authorities, partners like WHO and other groups would be needed to turn strategic directions into measurable improvements in health outcomes across the country.

Speaking for state participants, Jonglei State Health Minister Jehan Mechak Deng said stronger national support is needed for drug and vaccine supply, human resources and infrastructure:

“To provide better services at the state and county levels, we require strong national level support so we can deliver to our communities as required,” she said.

Earlier, Minister Thoan had told the meeting that increased domestic investment in health is vital to strengthen the healthcare system and cut dependence on humanitarian and donor support.

He also urged health officials at all levels to uphold accountability and transparency in managing health resources, especially donor funded grants, to ensure funds reach the intended people and deliver quality services.

The Health Sector Transformation Project is a multi-donor health initiative funded by the World Bank and a consortium of partners.

Implementation is led by the Ministry of Health through its Project Management Unit, with UNICEF and WHO serving as managing organisations.

The project aims to shift South Sudan from emergency humanitarian assistance to a resilient, government led national health system.