South Sudan News

Juba, 8 March 2024 – In South Sudan, driving has traditionally been perceived as a male-only profession. However, this stereotype has been challenged by three inspirational female drivers; Lucia Khamis, Jokudu Rejoice and Inna Medina - who are passionately dedicated to serving underserved communities by delivering healthcare nationwide.

Lucia Khamis, the first female driver at WHO South Sudan, said, "Women can accomplish anything that men can do." Despite the challenges she faces, Lucia takes great pride in contributing to the welfare of her community.

Juba, 27 February 2024 – Today, South Sudan launched a nationwide polio campaign aiming at vaccinating 3.1 million children using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2.

The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 has been designed to provide safe and reliable protection against poliovirus and is genetically more stable than the previous oral polio vaccine types. This means that it has the potential to be a game-changer in preventing new outbreaks of type 2 circulating variant-polio viruses (cVDPV2).

Yambio, 13 February 2024 – In response to the confirmed outbreak of yellow fever on 24 December 2023, with two laboratory-confirmed cases identified in Western Equatoria State, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, has initiated a reactive Yellow Fever vaccination campaign as part of preventive response intervention.

Juba – In South Sudan, 19 of the 20 neglected tropical diseases are endemic, posing a huge health threat. More than 12 million people are at risk of infection from these diseases that can cause severe pain, disabilities and deformities among other devastating impacts.

South Sudan celebrated the 2023 World Rabies Day under the theme "All For One, One Health For All" to eliminate Rabies by 2030, as per the 2021-2025 South Sudan Health Sector Strategic Plan. The celebration was held in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, where over 5000 people, including dog owners, participated.

Juba ‒ Aboja Malual Chol lives in a transit centre for South Sudanese returnees who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Living conditions in the centre near Palouch airport in Melut County in northern South Sudan are tough for its 6000 residents who are awaiting to travel to other parts of the country. 

In the wake of a concerning development, authorities in Longochuk County, Upper Nile State, reported a series of fatalities on 15 May 2023, believed to be linked to a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the secluded villages of Dajo and Pacime. Patients displayed concerning symptoms, including fever, headache, and diarrhea, with many cases reported among children.

To manage infectious and hazardous waste, WHO built a state-of-the-art medical waste management facility with a cutting-edge temperature incinerator at Juba Teaching Hospital to prioritize collecting, transporting, and treating infectious waste and sharps.

Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) South Sudan Country Office conducted a consultative meeting with the senior management of the Ministry of Health to review the progress made in the implementation of the 2022/2023 biennium plan.

The meeting from 18 to 19 July 2023 aimed to review the progress in implementing the 2022-23 biennium plan and chart ways to achieve the pending activities. WHO plans in two-year cycles (biennium), with the current biennial plan ending on 31 December 2023.