Juba, South Sudan, 11 December 2014 - In continued efforts to strengthen the health service delivery system in South Sudan, WHO supported the Ministry of Health to host a National Health Policy Consensus workshop.

The workshop, which took place from 9 to 11 December sought to generate consensus on the draft national health policy that resulted from extensive dialogue and consultation at national and state level. This is a follow up to a process that began in June 2014 with a three-day dialogue to review the National Health Policy 2007 – 2011, the National Health Sector Development Plan 2012 – 2016 and the Ministerial Policy Statement Framework 2012 – 2016.

Addressing participants at the workshop, WHO Representative to South Sudan Dr. Abdi Aden Mohamed stressed the importance of building strong health systems, particularly in developing countries. He noted that while the world was in a better position to cure disease and prolong life, most developing countries were worse off due to weak health systems. The health systems were too weak to deliver interventions to those in greatest need in a comprehensive way and on an adequate scale.

“It is with this understanding that WHO provided guidance to the policy update process, in order to address the urgent need to improve the performance of health systems,” he said, adding that this should set the stage for the development of the health sector strategic plan, policy implementation guidelines and better alignment of structures for improved health system effectiveness.

Speaking at the same occasion, the European Union Head of Delegation to South Sudan, Mr. Stefano De Leo commended the Ministry of Health and WHO for making the process consultative.

“It is a unique opportunity to review and shape the health system and put in place social services,” he said, a view that was echoed by the Minister of Health Dr. Riek Gai Kok as this will be the first National Health Policy following South Sudan’s independence in 2011. 

“We are privileged to be involved in the first ever national health policy for South Sudan,” he said, likening the process to that of laying a solid foundation for a building. Dr. Kok commended partners for ensuring that administrative structures such as bomas, payams, counties and states were involved in the consultative process and formed part of the driving force for the health system. Such consultation would ensure that the final policy was tailored and relevant to the country’s context.

The National Health Policy, once finalised, would provide direction for partners and Government to invest in health knowing where the Ministry is heading. Dr. Kok expressed gratitude to partners for supporting the people of South Sudan through challenges such as floods; successfully conducting immunisations in the conflict-affected states of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile; responding to and containing the recent cholera outbreak in a short period; and swiftly embarking on Ebola preparedness by prepositioning protective equipment, establishing screening at entry points, conducting training and setting up an isolation unit  when the outbreak was declared in parts of West Africa.

He further expressed appreciation to WHO for the technical support and to the European Union for funding the process.

About 150 participants from national and sub-national level attended the workshop.

01. Delegates from the Ministry of Health at national and sub-national level with key partners.

02. Minister of Health Dr. Riek Gai Kok, WHO Representative Dr. Abdi Aden Mohamed and Head of the EU Delegation to South Sudan H.E. Stefano De Leo.

03. Some of the participants who attended the workshop from various national and sub-national structures.

04. The Minister of Health, Dr. Riek Gai Kok addressing participants at the official opening of the National Health Policy Consensus Workshop.

05. WHO Representative to South Sudan Dr. Abdi Aden Mohamed being interviewed by the media after the official opening of the National Health Policy Consensus Workshop.

06. WHO Representative to South Sudan, Dr. Abdi Aden Mohamed addressing participants at the official opening of the National Health Policy Consensus Workshop.

Photographs by WHO/M.Moyo.

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For more information, please contact:

Matilda Moyo | Communications Consultant
WHO Surge Team | Juba, South Sudan
Mobile: +211 955 036 439
Email:  matilda.moyo [at] gmail.com
Skype: matilda.moyo