By Chol D. Johnson
The Vice President for the Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services, citing that effective health delivery is vital to the national development agenda of South Sudan.
Speaking on Tuesday during his first official visit to Ministry of Health in Juba, Abdelbagi stressed that improving healthcare access and quality remains a top priority for the government.
“Healthcare delivery remains central to national development,” the Vice President said, adding that better health services are critical to improving the wellbeing and productivity of citizens across the country.
Abdelbagi reaffirmed his personal commitment to supporting reforms and strengthening service delivery within the health sector.
During the visit, he commended the Minister of Health, Sarah Cleto Rial, for what he described as strong leadership and dedication to improving healthcare systems nationwide.
He particularly praised the minister’s unannounced visits to health facilities, noting that such inspections promote accountability and improve staff performance.
“These initiatives help boost productivity and ensure quality healthcare for our people,” Abdelbagi said.
As Chair of the Service Cluster, the Vice President oversees key ministries responsible for social services, including health, education, and agriculture. His visit to the Ministry of Health marks the first working engagement of its kind since his appointment, signaling renewed government attention to public service delivery.
Officials say the move reflects the administration’s broader effort to strengthen institutions and ensure that essential services reach communities across the country.
During the meeting, Minister Cleto outlined the ministry’s priorities for health sector reform, emphasizing the importance of strategic governance and planning as a foundation for effective service delivery.
“These priorities are essential for creating the fiscal and structural environment needed for effective service delivery,” she said.
According to the minister, the ministry is currently focusing on finalizing and validating the National Health Strategy, implementing the “Accountability Bridge” through stronger integration between public financial management and the medical supply chain, and institutionalizing joint budget reviews between the health and finance ministries.
Cleto said these measures aim to improve transparency, strengthen resource management, and ensure that health facilities receive the supplies and funding needed to serve patients effectively.
The Vice President’s visit is widely seen as a significant step toward enhancing accountability, increasing investment, and promoting innovation within the country’s health sector.
Government officials say sustained collaboration between ministries will be crucial to addressing the challenges facing the health system and delivering quality healthcare services to all South Sudanese.