South Sudan launches Health Sector Transformation Project to enhance service delivery
July 22, 2024 – Juba, South Sudan: The Republic of South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has officially started the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP), effective July 1, 2024. This initiative aims to improve the availability, quality, and accessibility of health services across the nation, ensuring they remain free at the point of use.
In recent years, the Ministry has partnered with various organizations to implement reforms that enhance management, funding, and sustainability within the health sector. These efforts have already led to significant improvements, particularly in primary and secondary healthcare services.
The HSTP will support a total of 1158 health facilities including 4 referral hospitals, 11 state hospitals, and a number of county hospitals, PHCCs and PHCUs across the country. Most of the supported health facilities include those previously backed by the Health Pooled Fund (HPF) and UNICEF/World Bank, and other humanitarian-supported sites in all states. Additional facilities will be integrated following thorough assessments by the Ministry of Health.
Key aspects of the HSTP include the provision of essential health supplies, capacity building for health workers, coverage of operational costs, and the payment of incentives to health service providers based on established staffing norms. The updated ‘Health Workers Harmonization Incentive Scale’ will be applied to ensure fair compensation for healthcare professionals. To enhance accountability, the payment of incentives will utilize biometric verification for eligible health workers, streamlining the process and ensuring support reaches those delivering care.
In her official letter to the Directors General of the State Ministries of Health across the country, Dr Harriet Akello Pasquale, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation for the collaboration from State Ministries of Health, County Health Departments, and partners. She emphasized the importance of adhering to established protocols, including maintaining a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and attendance monitoring.
The HSTP will establish minimum staffing norms for health facilities, ensuring adequate human resources to deliver effective care. The Ministry has outlined specific staffing requirements, highlighting the need for justifiable requests for additional personnel based on patient caseloads.
As South Sudan embarks on this transformative journey, the Ministry of Health remains dedicated to improving health outcomes for its citizens through enhanced service delivery and collaboration.
Download the Letter of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health
