By Sabri Dibaco
The National Minister of Health, Luke Thompson Thoan, has called on government leadership and development stakeholders to increase investment in South Sudan’s health sector, stressing that stronger domestic financing is critical to building a resilient healthcare system and reducing reliance on humanitarian and donor support.
Speaking during the Annual Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) Ministerial Advisory Board Meeting held in Juba, Luke Thompson said the country must prioritise health financing to improve access to quality healthcare services and strengthen national health institutions.
The minister emphasised that increasing the national health budget would enable the government to address persistent challenges facing the health system, including limited infrastructure, shortages of medical supplies, and gaps in service delivery across states and counties.
“We need stronger domestic investment in health if we are to build a sustainable healthcare system and reduce dependence on external support,” Luke said.
He also urged health officials at national and state levels to demonstrate accountability and transparency in managing public and donor-funded resources.
According to the minister, effective stewardship of health financing is essential to ensure that resources reach intended beneficiaries and contribute to improved health outcomes for communities across the country.
The annual advisory board meeting brought together state ministers of health, director generals, development partners, and other key stakeholders to review achievements, discuss existing challenges, and assess implementation progress under the Health Sector Transformation Project.
Participants focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen service delivery and improve coordination among institutions supporting the country’s health agenda.
The Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) is a multi-donor initiative designed to improve access to essential health services across South Sudan.
The project is financed by the World Bank together with a consortium of development partners and implemented by the Ministry of Health through its Project Management Unit (PMU), with UNICEF and WHO serving as managing organisations.
The initiative has supported healthcare delivery across the country through investments in maternal and child health services, disease prevention, health infrastructure, and strengthening the capacity of health institutions.
The meeting concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration, responsible resource management, and increased government commitment to achieving long-term improvements in South Sudan’s health sector.