Juba, 5 July 2024 – Dr Humphrey Karamagi, the newly appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for South Sudan, presented his letter of credentials to Hon. Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

During his presentation, Dr Karamagi stated, "With the launch of the Health Sector Transformation Project, we aim to implement the strategies and interventions outlined in the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2027. These efforts will focus on ensuring equal access to essential health services, strengthening health systems, and forming partnerships to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The WHO is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders under the government's leadership at all levels to support the implementation of this HSTP. We aim to ensure that the Country achieves its Universal Health Coverage aspirations."

Hon. Ramadan expressed appreciation for WHO’s significant efforts in enhancing the health sector in South Sudan. He emphasized that health is a collective responsibility, extending beyond the purview of the Ministry of Health. Additionally, he acknowledged WHO as a steadfast partner in the country for many years, predating its independence.

Dr Karamagi and Hon. Ramadan have both reiterated their unwavering dedication to enhancing the healthcare sector in South Sudan. Hon. Ramadan expressed, "My office is receptive to collaborating with the World Health Organization for the betterment of the people of South Sudan."

WHO's contribution in various areas has been significant, including vaccinating over 5.1 million people against COVID-19, with healthcare workers having a 95% vaccination rate and elderly people at almost 90%, the eradication of the wild poliovirus, a rise in routine immunization coverage from 60% to over 80% in the past two years, the setting up of an oxygen plant at Juba Teaching Hospital, support to the Sudan crises, formalizing the One Health Multi-Sectoral Coordination Mechanism, the construction of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, the establishment of the National Blood Transfusion Services in Juba, and the National Public Health Laboratory. Along with these, strengthening country-wide integrated disease surveillance has also been a significant effort.

Dr Karamagi thanked Hon. Ramadan for their warm welcome, unwavering support, and invaluable collaboration with WHO. On behalf of the Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, he emphasized WHO's unwavering commitment to collaborate closely with the government of South Sudan and other partners within the framework of the WHO Transformation Agenda.

Dr Karamagi congratulated the Government of South Sudan on the progress made in the health sector despite the challenging environment and reaffirmed WHO's support for the country's contribution to the Triple Billion, a crucial step towards achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3).

Dr Karamagi is a Ugandan and holds a Doctor of Public Health, a Master of Science in Health Policy Planning and Financing, a Diploma in Tropical Medicine, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. He has over 25 years of experience in public health, particularly in transforming health service delivery to maximize health outcomes of Universal Health Coverage, Health Security, and health determinants, with a focus on the way health system investments can be deployed to optimize access to essential services, quality of care, community demand, and health system resilience.

Before his appointment in South Sudan, Dr Karamagi served as Acting WHO Representative in Angola from May 2023 to January 2024. His previous work experience includes being a Senior Technical Officer in Health Systems Development at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Acting WHO Representative in Seychelles, and Advisor in Health Systems Strengthening at the WHO Country Office in Kenya.

The presentation took place in Juba at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the presence of officials from the Ministry and WHO country office.