(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has begun distributing essential medical supplies to several states and administrative areas as part of efforts to strengthen basic healthcare services and prepare for seasonal health emergencies.
The rollout covers 27 counties across five states and two administrative areas. These include 13 counties in Upper Nile State, seven in Unity State, and nine in Jonglei State, as well as targeted deliveries to the Ruweng and Greater Pibor Administrative Areas. The supplies are intended to support operations in primary healthcare centres, community health units, and hospitals through the months of July, August, and September.
Health Minister Sarah Cleto Rial, together with Undersecretary Dr Aninn Ngot Ngot Mou, visited the national medical warehouse on Friday to oversee the dispatch of the consignments. The inspection formed part of a broader coordination effort between the Ministry and its development partners to ensure uninterrupted health service delivery during the rainy season.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Sarah underlined the urgency of timely distribution and the importance of ensuring that the medicines and equipment reach healthcare facilities in remote communities.
“We want to ensure these medical supplies reach people on the ground,” she said, referencing delivery routes to Upper Nile State facilities, including Doma Primary Healthcare Centre and the Ulang County Health Department.
Officials confirmed that the operation has been timed deliberately to avoid logistical delays caused by flooding and poor road conditions during the rainy season, which typically affects access to large parts of rural South Sudan.
The Ministry’s distribution drive comes amid rising concern over a serious cholera outbreak in the Abyei Administrative Area. Local health authorities have reported that the disease has killed several people and infected over 1,000. Community leaders have called on the Ministry to intensify its intervention and contain what they described as a worsening health crisis.
The Ministry has not yet confirmed if Abyei will receive emergency supplies in this particular phase of distribution. However, health analysts warn that unless additional resources are quickly mobilised, the outbreak may spread beyond the current affected areas.
No exact figures were provided regarding the total value of the consignment, but similar operations in the past have involved significant logistics and warehousing expenses.
