By Alan Clement
The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has pledged parliament’s full support for two landmark health bills in an effort to strengthen healthcare system in the country.
According to a statement from the Speaker’s office, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, made the pledge during a meeting with the Minister of Health, Sarah Cleto Rial, who was accompanied by the Undersecretary of Health, Kennedy Ganiko on Friday.
The statement highlighted two key health-related bills including the Nursing and Midwifery Bill and the Health Insurance Bill which are central to strengthening healthcare delivery and regulatory standards.
“The Speaker expressed Parliament’s readiness to deliberate and pass the upcoming health bills to ensure that the people of South Sudan receive quality and accessible health services,” the statement read.
The Nursing and Midwifery Bill aim to regulate the profession and improve maternal and child health, especially in rural areas, while the Health Insurance Bill seeks to expand access and financial protection through a national scheme for universal health coverage.
According to statement, the officials also touched-base on the Ministry of Health’s ongoing work to improve healthcare delivery nationwide as well as the national health budget, with both the Executive and Legislative arms agreeing on the need for increased investment in the sector.
The Speaker’s office reiterated that Parliament will prioritize health financing in upcoming budget sessions. “We are not only lawmakers; we are representatives of the people. And our people deserve a health system that works for them,” the Speaker’s office added.
The Ministry of Health has been actively engaging stakeholders, including civil society and professional associations, to build consensus around the proposed legislation.
The proposed Nursing and Midwifery Bill and Health Insurance Bill are among the key legislative initiatives expected to shape South Sudan’s health policy and service delivery framework in the coming months.