By Chol D. Johnson
The Minister of Health Sarah Cleto Rial reaffirmed expending of access to quality health service.
Cleto Made the remark on Wednesday during press statement at ministry’s premises in Juba.
She stated that the ministry’s unwavering dedication to expanding access to quality health services, improving governance and strengthening community health systems in the nation.
“I reaffirm our unwavering dedication to expanding access to quality health services, improving governance, strengthening community health systems and ensuring that no South Sudanese is left behind” she stated.
She said that together with strong leadership, unity of purpose and the support of the partners, they can build a brighter and healthier future for our nation.
“Together with strong leadership, unity of purpose and the support of our partners, we can build a brighter and healthier future for our nation” Cleto said.
Cleto emphasized the Ministry is looking forward to welcome all participants to Juba for this important national event and encourages full engagement toward shaping a renewed collective commitment to a healthy and productive population living a dignified life.
The minister also announces on the convening of the Health Summit 2025 Which scheduled to take place from 2nd to 5th December 2025 in Juba, South Sudan, under the theme, “Transforming Health Systems for Equity, Resilience and Impact”.
Cleto said that this high-level summit will bring together leaders and stakeholders from across the country to reflect on the findings of the annual Health Sector Performance Review 2024-2025 and discuss the current state of health in the nation.
She explained that the purpose of health summit is to assess progress, identify gaps, explore opportunities and reach national consensus on the way forward for improving health outcomes for all South Sudanese.
Cleto said the summit is anchored in implementation status of Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which guides their shared vision for a resilient, equitable and people-centred health system.
“The summit is anchored in the implementation status of the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which guides our shared vision for a resilient, equitable and people-centred health system” she said.
She said the summit would provide a platform for inclusive dialogue, bringing together health leaders from the 10 states and 3 administrative areas, representatives from health development and humanitarian partners, academia, public health and medical professionals, civil society and the private sector.
“This broad participation underscores our commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to advancing health in South Sudan” Cleto said.
“At a time when our country continues to face complex challenges from disease outbreaks to climate-related emergencies, health security remains central to the development, stability and prosperity of our people” she mentioned.
“This summit is therefore vital not only for reviewing where we stand today, but also for shaping the direction of our health sector for years to come” Cleto noted.
Cleto said that the Ministry seeks to strengthen multisectoral engagement and mobilize stronger coordination across government institutions to build a robust, efficient, accountable and sustainable health system capable of delivering better outcomes for every citizen.
“Through the summit, we aim to reaffirm partnerships, enhance collaboration and accelerate progress toward a healthier and more productive South Sudan” she said.
Cleto expressed the challenges that facing the ministry of health is the declining of financing in terms of health globally.
“I think the most pressing issue facing us is the declining financing in terms of health globally” she expressed.
She said that in the health system, 85% of their health is covered by donor funding, however, with the changes of recent global financing for health, it is impacting their services and reaching to the people.
“In the health system, 85% of our health is covered by donor funding. However, with the changes of recent global financing for health, it is impacting our services and reaching to the people” Cleto said.
“We are really working very hard with our partners, our government, in terms of ensuring that health service reach to the people without any delays in our services” she said.
Cleto said that the budget was just passed by the Council of Ministers but it is 1.3% of the total budget which she didn’t received and the details will be provided soon.
“The budget was just passed by the Council of Ministers. I don’t have the figure in front of me, but it is 1.3% of the total budget and the details will be provided soon” she said.