EU earmarks €11 million for S. Sudan’s health sector

December 14, 2014 (JUBA) – The European Union (EU) has announced it will contribute €11 million to help improve South Sudan’s rapidly deteriorating health sector.

Ambassador Stefano De Leo, head of the EU delegation in the country said this during a health policy review workshop it organised in partnership with the health ministry.

“There is an increase in support funds compared to the previous years due to the urgent and fragile situation in the country,” he said.

The EU further pledged commitment to support the health sector.

The health sector across South Sudan remains fragile and is characterised by some of the worst health indicators in the world amid extremely low health care coverage caused by a shortage of functional health facilities and a lack of skilled health workers.

Despite these shortfalls, however, the health minister says government will submit the proposed policy to the national assembly for scrutiny seeking to improve the health sector.

“Better policies developed today, better health services tomorrow,” said Dr. Riek Gai Kok.

“Coming up with better policy shouldn’t be a single effort, but a collective one,” he added.

Dr. Abdi Mohamed Aden, the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative said the policy review came at a time when people desperately need of health services.

According to WHO, the life expectancy of South Sudanese at birth is 54 years, under five infant mortality rate is 106 per 1000 live births while maternal mortality deaths estimated at 2,054 per every 100,000 live births are among the highest in the world

South Sudan is one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries, with less than 44% of its population accessing basic services.

(ST)