South Sudan launches and signs off the One Health Strategic Plan and the 2nd National Action Plan for Health Security (2025-2030)
The documents were launched and signed off by Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs in a high-level event in Juba, alongside his counterparts from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry with participation of key health development partners.
The launch of the One Health Strategic Plan and the 2nd National Action Plan for Health Security (2025-2030) will foster the multisectoral coordination, administrative and technical collaboration among animal, human and environmental health sectors to address potential zoonotic diseases and other one health threats.
In his remarks during the sign off event, Dr Lomuro said 'the One Health Strategic Plan and the 2nd National Action Plan for Health Security will enhance preparedness and response to public health threats, safeguarding and improving the health for the communities, livestock, wildlife, and environment'. Dr Lomuro congratulated the Ministry of Health and the One-Health Department for making South Sudan proud in being the sixth country to complete the National Action Plan for Health Security in the Africa Region.
Honorable Sarah Cleto Rial, the Minister of Health appreciated the support received by her Ministry to deliver such strategic plans. She further emphasized that these documents are the governments' one-stop centre that will guide effective coordination in building the country preparedness, investments in prevention, detection and management of public health threats.
Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan congratulated the government of South Sudan for completing the National Action Planning for Health Security at such a time when the newly adopted International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments will come into force. Dr Karamagi also recognized the Ministry of Health for the leadership and compliance with the global health security agenda and the newly amended International Health Regulations, which WHO secretariat considers as essential to preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
Dr Humprey Karamagi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that 'the Strategic Planning is completed, and this event has flagged us off to implementation'. All line ministries, departments and agencies represented at this national event, from henceforth pledged to own these plans and embark on implementation of all the priority interventions in the two plans.
With the generous contribution of the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO) provided the technical support to the one-health secretariat at Ministry of Health, which was the center of all operations and processes that generated the two strategic plans.
The national launching event ended by laying out the way forwards given as a) Convening the NAPHS Resource Mapping Forum in no later than 2 months; b) Drafting of the Annual NAPHS Operational Planning by October 2025; c) Development of the NAPHS implementation tracker by December 2025; and d) Convening Quarterly NAPHS implementation review meetings as fora for progress monitoring and accountability.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
War fuels cholera outbreak across Sudan with Médecins sans frontières (MSF) seeing over 2,300 patients and 40 dead in one week
The worst cholera outbreak Sudan has had in years is currently spreading, fuelled by the ongoing conflict. People are now grappling with the outbreak on top of the all out war they have experienced over two years. In Darfur region alone, MSF teams saw over 2,300 cholera patients, and 40 deaths, in the last week alone. On top of an all out war, people in Sudan are now experiencing the worst cholera outbreak the country has seen in years. First declared by the Ministry of Health one year ago, there has since been 99,700 suspected cases and more than 2,470 related deaths, as of 11 August. In Darfur region alone, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams treated over 2,300 patients and recorded 40 deaths in the past week for cholera, at facilities run by the Ministry of Health. Across Darfur, cholera is hitting people who already struggled with water shortages that made it impossible to follow essential hygiene measures, such as washing dishes and food. The situation is most extreme in Tawila, North Darfur state, where 380,000 people have fled to escape ongoing fighting around the city of El Fasher, according to the United Nations. By the end of July, after one month of responding, MSF teams treated over 2,300 cholera patients in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Tawila. The cholera treatment centre at Tawila Hospital, officially equipped with 130 beds, had to accommodate 400 patients during the first week of August, overwhelming the facility and forcing staff to add extra mattresses on the floor to cope. In Tawila, people survive with an average of just three litres of water per day, which is less than half the emergency minimum threshold of 7.5 litres needed per person per day for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, as stipulated by the WHO. As cholera cases rise and resources run out, clean water and sanitation services are urgently needed to prevent more deaths. 'In displacement and refugee camps, families often have no choice but to drink from contaminated sources and many contract cholera,' says Sylvain Penicaud, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. 'Just two weeks ago, a body was found in a well inside one of the camps. It was removed, but within two days, people were forced to drink from that same water again.' About 100 kilometres from Tawila, cholera was reported in Golo, Central Darfur state, on 13 July. MSF opened a 73-bed cholera treatment centre in Golo hospital. This centre was quickly overwhelmed, with 137 patients arriving on 3 August alone. Five oral rehydration points were set up around Golo to manage mild cases and prevent deterioration, but our teams see that the outbreak is still spreading fast. In early August, cholera reached Zalingei and Rokero in Central Darfur state, and Sortony in North Darfur state. Heavy rains are worsening the crisis by contaminating water and damaging sewage systems. Cases are continuing to rise in South Darfur state, as well, where MSF, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, has expanded the cholera treatment centre in Nyala to 80 beds. There, the response is waiting for vaccines and facing a severe shortage of water purification tablets. 'The health centres are full,' says Samia Dahab, a resident of Otash displacement camp in Nyala. 'Some areas have water, others have kiosks that are far or empty. Some water is salty, and we drink it unboiled, unsure if it's safe.' As people move around to flee fighting, cholera is spreading further, in Sudan and into neighbouring Chad and South Sudan. In Damazin, Blue Nile state, Sudan, MSF and the Ministry of Health expanded the Damazin hospital cholera treatment centre from 50 to 250 beds in July to cope with an influx of returnees from South Sudan. At this centre, our teams are seeing a deadly combination of cholera and malnutrition. Between 3 and 9 August, six cholera patients who died were also suffering from acute malnutrition. 'The situation is beyond urgent,' says Tuna Turkmen, MSF's head of mission in Sudan. 'The outbreak is spreading well beyond displacement camps now, into multiple localities across Darfur states and beyond.' 'The international response must have an outbreak emergency coordination mechanism able to provide healthcare, improve water and sanitation services, and begin cholera vaccination campaigns in affected areas at a pace that matches the urgency this catastrophic situation requires,' says Turkmen. 'Every day of delay costs lives. MSF stands ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO to launch mass vaccination campaigns across Darfur. Survivors of war must not be left to die from a preventable disease.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Protecting the future: annual review meeting of Ethiopia's The Ethio-Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) project
The Ethio-Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Project held its first Annual Review Meeting from 9 to 11 July 2025 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The review brought together high-level government officials, technical experts, UN representatives, and other partners committed to advancing Ethiopia's pandemic preparedness through a unified One Health approach. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Animal Health Institute (AHI), Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), regional bureaus, academia, UN agencies, and key development partners, including the UK Health Security Agency. The meeting was formally opened by Dr. Mebratu Masebo, on behalf of the Minister of Health, setting the tone for a high-level, collaborative exchange. Distinguished keynote speakers included H.E. Professor Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI; H.E. Dr. Tesfaye Rufael, Director General of AHI; Dr. Patrick Okumu Abok, Team Lead, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, on behalf of the WHO Representative in Ethiopia; Ms. Farai Zimudzi, FAO Country Representative; and Dr. Daniel Ngemera from UNICEF Ethiopia. Their opening remarks underscored the urgency and importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in pandemic risk management. A gallery walk showcased key achievements from the first year of implementation, highlighting the project's strong alignment with national One Health priorities. The interactive exhibition gave stakeholders a visual and experiential understanding of interconnected activities and progress made across sectors. Leaders from human and animal health sectors, development partners, and academic institutions engaged with the displays, recognizing Ethiopia's growing role as a regional leader in pandemic preparedness. Implementing and delivery partners presented the project's accomplishments, reflecting a year of determination, innovation, and resilience. Despite early implementation challenges, the EPPR Project has demonstrated measurable results and earned broad praise from government officials and partners. Ethiopia is increasingly regarded as a global example of how pandemic preparedness can be integrated across sectors to build a strong, responsive health system. Year Two priorities, developed and refined by the project's Technical Working Groups (TWGs), were shared with the broader stakeholder group to ensure alignment, ownership, and accountability. The revised workplan emphasizes accelerating regional implementation, deepening local capacity, and strengthening cross-sector coordination. Three thought-provoking panel discussions provided opportunities for deeper reflection and forward-looking dialogue: The first panel, led by H.E. Dr. Melkamu Abte, focused on EPPR's contribution to Ethiopia's national emergency preparedness and response system. The second, moderated by Dr. Feyesa Regassa, addressed One Health integration and cross-sector collaboration. The third, led by Dr. Shahira Ahmed Malm, explored strategies for sustainable resource mobilization and co-investment. These expert discussions generated actionable insights and strategic ideas to guide the project's future direction. The meeting's outcomes reflect not only the national progress made, but also the growing significance of Ethiopia's leadership in the global pandemic preparedness arena. Supported by the Pandemic Fund—launched at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali and hosted by the World Bank Group with WHO as technical lead—the EPPR Project stands as a flagship example of how global financing and national ownership can converge to address one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. With a shared vision and collective determination, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to continue building a safer, healthier, and more prepared Ethiopia. The meeting concluded with clear commitments for the next phase of the project. Stakeholders agreed on the importance of documenting experiences through policy briefs and scientific publications; trengthening coordination platforms to avoid duplication and build synergy and Jointly mobilizing resources through a One Health financing approach. The other actions agreed on were promoting knowledge sharing via webinars, gallery walks, and field visits, deepening partnerships with academia to support research and training, and Mapping and registering trained workforce members for rapid deployment during emergencies, aligning technical expertise with regional needs. Project leadership emphasized the need to reassess the pace of implementation, increase regional engagement, and ensure tangible impact at the community level. Sustained leadership commitment, strategic advocacy, and a culture of shared accountability across sectors will be critical to maintaining momentum and achieving long-term success. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Sustaining efforts to end mpox outbreaks in Africa
One year since World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), African countries have scaled up response measures and made progress to curb the spread of the virus. Coordinated action between governments, WHO, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), communities and partners has helped strengthen disease surveillance, expand laboratory testing, roll out vaccination and improve treatment and care of people with mpox. Mpox remains a serious public health challenge in Africa. In the past year, 28 African countries have been affected, with more than 174 000 suspected and nearly 50 000 confirmed cases reported. Around 240 lives have been lost. However, response efforts are paying off. In the last six weeks, the weekly number of confirmed cases declined by 34.5% compared with the preceding six weeks. Over 3 million doses, almost half of the target have been delivered, more than 951 000 doses administered and around 900 000 people vaccinated with at least one dose. Thanks to sustained efforts, Cote d'Ivoire, for instance, has brought its outbreak under control after 42 days with no new cases. Angola, Gabon, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe have also gone more than 90 days without any new confirmed cases. 'Our collective efforts have been crucial in strengthening measures for an effective response,' said Dr Otim, Patrick Ramadan Programme Area Manager, Emergency Response at WHO Regional Office for Africa. 'It is critical to sustain what works, which includes rapid case detection, timely targeted vaccination, strong laboratory systems, and active community engagement.' Collaboratively, WHO and Africa CDC have developed continental Mpox Preparedness and Response Plans and co-led the implementation through continental Incident Management Support Team in collaboration with partners. 'The partnership between Africa CDC and WHO highlights strong African leadership. With limited resources, there is a critical need to be more efficient which means working as one team, with one plan budget and monitoring framework,' said Professor Yap Boum, Deputy Continental Incident Manager for Africa CDC Since August 2024, WHO has worked closely with countries to boost response capacity. Thirteen of the 22 countries with active transmission now have vaccine deployment plans, and eight are vaccinating high-risk groups and contacts. However, challenges persist. These include limited access to vaccines, competing emergencies, funding gaps, inadequate access to care, and stigma that keeps people from seeking care. Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to disrupt response efforts. 'Our priorities for the next six months are to expand community-based surveillance in high-risk areas, continue to procure and distribute essential supplies to hotspots, support the integration of mpox response into other health programs for sustainability, support targeted vaccination and advocate for more funding for vaccine deployment,' said Dr Otim. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
