South Sudan News

H.E. Josephine Lagu Yanga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chair of the Service Cluster, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening cancer prevention and overall health systems during a courtesy visit by the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Juba.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) - Republic of South Sudan and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a landmark land agreement paving the way for the construction of a permanent WHO country office in Juba, signaling a strengthened and long-term partnership to advance healthcare delivery across South Sudan.

Juba- When severe flooding submerged large parts of Fangak County in Jonglei State, entire communities were cut off from basic services. Roads disappeared under water. Health facilities were damaged or became inaccessible. Families were stranded without transport. For many, even a minor illness could turn life-threatening.

For 33-year-old Mary from Pajiok village in Patia Payam, Fangak County, 23 September will forever remain etched in her memory, a day marked by panic andpain. Her three-month-old baby boy had accidentally fallen into a basin of hot water at home.

Juba—South Sudan’s sustained cholera outbreak response has reduced new cases and prevented around 94 000 deaths since the confirmation of the outbreak more than two years ago in September 2024.  

Juba - South Sudan has one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children under five. About 2.1 million children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition. This includes 670 000 children who are severely wasted and 1.44 million who are moderately wasted.

Op-Ed By Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan

South Sudan is combating its largest and longest cholera outbreak since independence in 2011. The outbreak, which began in September 2024 has been sustained for now one year, testing the country’s experiences, defining new frontiers to interrupt transmission and providing new lessons for future similar outbreaks.

One year ago, on 28 October 2024, South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak. The outbreak began in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan, triggered by the influx of returnees and refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan, before spreading to other areas.

To date, nearly 95 000 suspected cases and over 1 500 deaths have been reported from 55 counties across 9 States and all 3 Administrative Areas.

Wau, WBG State – The Minister of Health, Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to South Sudan, Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, conducted a two-day high-level field visit to Wau to reaffirm government and partner commitment to strengthening health services in the region.

Article by Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan

As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary on 24 October under the theme “Building Our Future Together,” South Sudan also stands at a defining moment. This young nation holds immense potential, yet one still carrying the weight of recurring crises. In such moments of uncertainty, health becomes more than a service, it becomes the foundation for peace, resilience, and hope.

There is little time for introspection when one is constantly putting out fires of all sorts. That is why the theme: ‘Mental health in humanitarian emergencies’ for this year’s Mental Health Day speaks directly to the realities we face in South Sudan.