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Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary on 24 October 2025 under the theme “Building Our Future Together,” attention is turning to South Sudan, which finds itself at a critical crossroads in its journey toward establishing a more resilient and responsive health system.
While the young nation continues to grapple with recurring humanitarian and developmental crises, the health sector has emerged as one of the key pillars capable of fostering peace and stability in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In this context, Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan, stated that the country’s health system has faced severe challenges since gaining independence in 2011.
He pointed out that more than 80% of the population lives in rural areas with limited access to basic healthcare services.
Karamagi noted that South Sudan continues to record one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 692 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Additionally, child mortality rates for those under five are nearly double the global average. The health system suffers from a critical shortage of personnel and infrastructure, with only 7.6 healthcare workers and 1.4 health facilities per 10,000 people.
Despite these alarming figures, the WHO representative highlighted encouraging signs of progress.
“These challenges do not overshadow the success stories. In 2023, South Sudan became one of the first African countries to introduce the malaria vaccine into its national immunization programme, providing greater protection for children. The country also made remarkable advances in polio surveillance, with stool sample adequacy reaching 95% and acute flaccid paralysis detection exceeding international standards,” he said.
He added that such achievements clearly demonstrate that political will and joint commitment can pave the way for a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system. He called for increased international support to help strengthen the resilience of South Sudan’s health sector.
These remarks come as part of the events commemorating UN Day, which this year emphasizes the importance of collective action to build a fairer and more hopeful future for coming generations.
