LocationsThey signed a framework agreement to strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and immunization coverage to save lives, improve health outcomes and quality of life of the people.
Government, Global Fund, GAVI, UNDP and partners renew partnership for health in South Sudan
June 15, 2024
The Vice President and Chair of the Services Cluster H.E Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, officials from the Ministry of Health, the Global Fund, Gavi Alliance, UNDP and Partners on the occasion of signing the framework agreement.
UNDP/Michael Mubangizi
The Government of South Sudan, the Global Fund, the GAVI Alliance, UNDP and partners have reiterated their commitment to continue cooperation and partnership to strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and immunization coverage to save lives, improve health outcomes and quality of life in the country.
This was one of the highlights of the Global Fund – GAVI Alliance – High-Level Mission to South Sudan held between 10 and 14 June 2024. During the visit, the Government, Global Fund, GAVI and UNDP signed a declaration of commitment and joint collaboration to fight HIV, TB and malaria, and strengthen immunization and health systems. Other signatories to the framework agreement are UNICEF, South Sudan AIDS Commission (SSAC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a representative of civil society organizations.
In the framework agreement, the signatories commended the Government of South Sudan for the progress in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria, improved immunization coverage and in the establishment of resilient and sustainable systems for health. They also expressed concern that, in spite of the progress made, challenges remain, hindering the country’s development, peace and stability.
Improving the country’s health sector
The Global Fund delegation meeting with the UNDP team led by Resident Representative a.i Mr. Dominic Sam. UNDP has been a Principal Recipient of the precious Global Fund investments in what is now South Sudan since 2004.
UNDP/South Sudan
The occasion was presided over by the Vice President and Chair of the Services Cluster H.E Hussein Abdelbagi Akol who welcomed the framework agreement, saying, “It signifies our shared commitment to improving the health sector in the country.”
Citing investments in medical supply chains, health systems strengthening, capacity building of health care workers and support for health administration, the Vice President said the Global Fund investments have played a pivotal role in the country’s development, “On behalf of the country, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Global Fund for their unwavering support and dedication to improving health care in South Sudan.”
The Vice President also commended health care workers, “who are tirelessly serving their communities under serious challenges including the long delay in salaries payment.”
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Harley Feldbaum, Head of Strategy and Policy at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, congratulated South Sudan for the successful negotiation and signing of the Grant Cycle Seven (GC7), “under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and CCM which brought in a record US$144 million for implementation over a period of three years.”
The UNDP Resident Representative a.i Mr. Dominic Sam (middle), the WHO Country Representative Dr. Humphrey Karamagi (left), bid farewell to Mr. Boniface Njenga, the outgoing Global Fund, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager for South Sudan.
UNDP/Michael Mubangizi
Dr. Feldbaum also thanked the Ministry of Health for the strong leadership and coordination of the health response, “Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the coordination of government agencies and development partners has vastly improved. We encourage this transparent, open and productive relationship to continue.”
He reiterated the Global Fund’s support for the health sector transformation plan and urged other partners and stakeholders to rally behind it given its potential to foster country ownership and a more coordinated health response.
Increasing domestic health funding
The Global Fund's David Maman during a visit to one of the health facilities offering elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.
UNDP/Michael Mubangizi
He also called for increased domestic funding for health, noting, “The funds we allocate to South Sudan can only be and are meant to be complementary to the Government’s financing of health.”
During the visit, the Global Fund – GAVI Alliance delegation met with officials of the Ministry of Finance and Planning on increasing domestic financing for health to 10% and progressively reach the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration in due course.
This call was reiterated by Ms. Amy LaTrielle, the Director Fragile and Conflict-Affected Countries at Gavi Alliance. She said, “South Sudan’s domestic health financing is currently just below 2%. We appeal to the Government of South Sudan to prioritize the health of its population and to increase this to at least 10%. We know this can be done.”
Ms. LaTrielle also commended South Sudan for the strides made in health services delivery, including increasing immunization coverage to 73%, and reduction in the number of children who have never received a single vaccine by 22%. She also repeated GAVI’s commitment, funding and support for the vaccine’s rollout, including the scheduled roll-out of malaria vaccines alongside the massive distribution of mosquito nets offered by the Global Fund to prevent malaria. “Increasing current vaccines coverage combined with new vaccines introduction are excellent opportunities to save lives, improve health and ensure long-term prosperity,” she said.
Background
The objective of the high-level mission is to conduct a high-level engagement with senior Government officials and partners with focus on the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP), co-financing, framework agreement, aid effectiveness and grant implementation discussions with a focus on Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) and malaria.
The visiting Global Fund team, Government and UNDP officials during a visit to Riverside Warehouse, Gumbo. Over 200 hospitals and health facilities across the country get HIV and TB drugs and laboratory reagents from the warehouse jointly managed by the Ministry of Health and UNDP with funding from the Global Fund.
UNDP/Michael Mubangizi
During the high-level mission visit, the delegation also visited the health facilities providing elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services. They also visited Riverside Warehouse, Gumbo that is providing HIV and TB drugs and laboratory reagents to over 200 hospitals and health facilities across the country. Jointly managed by the Ministry of Health and UNDP with funding from the Global Fund, this warehouse is also home to an oxygen plant that produces 500 liters of medical oxygen daily and an incinerator that handles safe disposal of hazardous, medical and pharmaceutical waste from the warehouse, hospitals and health facilities across the country.