Global Fund Reaffirms Backing for South Sudan’s Health Sector

(JUBA) – South Sudan has stepped up its engagement with international partners as the country looks to strengthen health systems, expand agricultural development and advance long term economic and social reforms.

On 15 September 2025, Health Minister Sarah Cleto Rial held a high level meeting in Juba with a delegation from the Global Fund, led by Senior Fund Portfolio Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, Job Muriuki. The meeting focused on ways to improve cooperation in addressing tuberculosis and malaria, two of the leading public health challenges in South Sudan.

Minister Rial praised the Global Fund’s continued support to government programmes aimed at reducing the burden of these diseases and improving access to health services. She said international partnerships remain crucial as South Sudan works towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Mr Muriuki, representing the Global Fund, commended the progress made by South Sudan in strengthening public health systems. He confirmed that the Global Fund would continue to back efforts to expand access to primary healthcare, enhance pandemic preparedness, and close systemic gaps that slow down progress.

The session was attended by senior government officials, including Dr Kennedy Ganniko Clement, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, and Dr Harriet Pasquale, Director General for International Health and Coordination. Representatives from the Country Coordination Mechanism and senior directors of preventive and emergency services were also present.

The Global Fund meeting coincided with broader discussions hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) South Sudan. Over the past week, UNDP has engaged in a series of strategic initiatives in partnership with government institutions and donors.

Among the highlights was a four day training for 266 investigators from 11 police stations across Juba. Organised with support from the Netherlands Embassy and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the training focused on strengthening investigative capacity, reducing case backlogs, and improving justice delivery.

In the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, together with UNDP and international partners, convened a National Validation Workshop on the Rural Enterprises for Agricultural Development (READ) Project. The project is designed to empower rural communities through cooperatives, promote food security, and improve livelihoods.

The government also used the occasion to mark International Cooperatives Day 2025. South Sudanese cooperatives, which bring together farmers, youth and women, were recognised as key vehicles for economic transformation. According to UNDP, cooperatives provide access to markets, enable resource pooling, and are central to building resilience in rural areas.

At the national level, the Government of South Sudan officially launched its 10 year South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP) 2026–2036. The blueprint sets out a vision for inclusive growth, peace consolidation, stronger institutions, and environmental sustainability. The plan was developed with support from UNDP and other development partners and aims to place South Sudan on a path toward self-reliance.

The SSDP emphasises national ownership and broad participation from women, youth, returnees, and marginalised communities. By focusing on economic diversification and sustainable agriculture, the government hopes to reduce reliance on oil while creating opportunities for long-term stability.

According to a press statement from the Finance Ministry online platforms, the series of engagements and initiatives signal South Sudan’s growing collaboration with international partners at a critical time when the country seeks to improve governance, rebuild institutions and deliver better services to its citizens.

Engagements in South Sudan (September 2025)