South Sudan’s Ministry of Health Addresses Challenges at Akobo County Hospital

Towards the end of last year, the health sector initiated the transition from the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project (CERSHPP) to the Health Sector Transition Project (HSTP).

As part of this transition, all relevant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) interested in delivering a package of health and nutrition services applied through the United Nations (UN) portal. Following this process, Save the Children emerged as the implementing partner for Lot 7, focusing on the service delivery at Akobo County Hospital.

However, issues arose concerning the delivery of health services at Akobo County Hospital, as the County Commissioner and the County Health Department raised concerns about disruptions in service provision that have persisted to this day.

Recognizing this gap, the National Ministry of Health, along with the Jonglei State Ministry of Health and development partners including UNICEF and the World Bank Group, onboarded Care International to take over the delivery of health services in Lot 7, including at Akobo County Hospital.

On June 8, 2024, a month before the official start of the Health Sector Transition Project, the National Ministry of Health sent Care International to assess the level of needs at the facility in order to align it with the provisions of the HSTP. Unfortunately, the County Health Department, County Commissioner, and community members once again rejected these genuine efforts from the National Ministry of Health.

The National Ministry of Health has continued to engage a broad array of stakeholders, including community leadership in Akobo, Members of Parliament, and other interested parties, to help address the void in health service provision in Akobo County.

In September, Care International successfully assessed Akobo County Hospital and presented their findings at a multi-stakeholder meeting that included UNICEF, the World Bank Group, and the National Ministry of Health. It was agreed to accord Akobo County Hospital a special status similar to that of major hospitals in Juba, Malakal, and Bor due to the hospital’s significant population, which includes cross-border communities, as well as its historical provision of health services.

Furthermore, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing incentives to more than 200 health workers in the region.

The Ministry is finalizing operational arrangements to support Akobo County Hospital, such as covering diesel costs for power generation. A meeting has been scheduled with Care International, the World Bank Group, and UNICEF for next week to further discuss these plans.

Once these arrangements are in place, Care International will oversee operations at Akobo County Hospital. The Ministry remains committed to providing life-saving health services to all South Sudanese citizens, including the people of Akobo County.