(Juba) – The Ministry of Health has officially marked the completion of a major stage in the ongoing expansion and upgrade of Juba Teaching Hospital, celebrating the end of the roofing phase of new buildings within the second phase of the project.
Speaking at a brief event held in Juba on Tuesday, 1st July 2025, Health Minister Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial was joined by China’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Ma Qiang, and senior officials from both governments to commemorate the achievement.
The project, which began in 2024, is being carried out in partnership with the government of China. It is expected to be fully completed by mid 2027. According to the Ministry, the expansion will significantly enhance health service delivery in the capital and across South Sudan.
The upgraded facilities will include departments for specialised external clinics, new internal medicine and paediatric wards, improved radiology and diagnostic laboratories, modern operating theatres, an infectious diseases unit, and new administrative and technical buildings.
Cleto thanked the Chinese government and development partners for their ongoing support. “We are committed to achieving our health goals with our partners, especially our friends from China,” she said. She added that the upgraded hospital will offer modern and efficient services to meet the growing health needs of the population.
Ambassador Ma Qiang also praised the collaboration between the two countries. Citing an African proverb, he said, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The ambassador noted that China remains committed to supporting South Sudan’s health sector and other areas of national development.
This development is seen as a vital step in improving access to healthcare in South Sudan, particularly in urban centres like Juba, where hospitals often struggle with limited capacity and outdated infrastructure. Once completed, the hospital is expected to serve a wider population and reduce the need for patients to seek specialised treatment abroad.
Although the project is publicly funded through international cooperation, ongoing concerns around funding, logistics, and staffing remain. The government has urged continued coordination with partners to ensure the hospital is fully operational on schedule.
Nonetheless, the Health Ministry has maintained its optimism, saying that the phased approach to the hospital expansion is designed to ensure quality and allow for adjustments based on available resources and national health priorities.
The Juba Teaching Hospital upgrade stands as one of the largest current infrastructure projects in the health sector.
