Latest news with #HumphreyKaramagi
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Hospital Bombing Deepens Bleak Situation For War-Weary South Sudanese
6 May 2025 'Every time this happens, people lose access to health services – and sometimes, to hope,' said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, the UN World Health Organization (WHO)'s Representative in South Sudan. ' Health is the last safety net. If it fails, everything else will also fall.' The apparent airstrike on the hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fangak in eastern Jonglei state, killed seven civilians and injured another 20, according to the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA). Healthcare not a target The attack is the eighth time healthcare has been targeted since January 'with health workers killed, facilities and essential supplies looted or destroyed', the WHO official told journalists in Geneva. 'More attacks may lead to closing half the health facilities along the Nile,' he added. Dr. Karamagi explained that humanitarian convoys and essential cold chain infrastructure had come under fire, at a time of escalating violence that has impacted civilians since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, descending shortly afterwards into civil war. Since March, tensions have escalated in Upper Nile state, with deadly clashes between Government forces and armed groups. This has uprooted an estimated 80,000 people in three of the most affected counties, the WHO official said. He added that clashes have also been reported in parts of Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Unity states, forcing communities – 'mostly women and children' – to flee into neighbouring countries, including 23,000 arrivals in Ethiopia. Diseases spreading Back in South Sudan, outbreaks of cholera, malaria, measles and mpox are spreading rapidly, prompting the UN health agency to deploy rapid response teams and coordinate with local partners where possible, amid access restrictions linked to the escalating violence. 'The alternative, if we do nothing, would be bleak,' the WHO official warned, pointing to cholera cases that may double in just six weeks and measles deaths that could increase by 40 per cent. Cholera alone has infected more than 55,000 people since September, killing over 1,000, the UN health agency said. 'War crime' condemnation In a related development, the UN Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) in South Sudan condemned the bombing as a potential war crime. 'This was not a tragic accident,' said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission. 'It was a calculated, unlawful attack on a protected medical facility.' MSF confirmed the hospital's complete destruction, including its pharmacy and emergency care units. Further aerial bombardments were also reported in New Fangak, raising fears that such attacks are part of a broader military campaign. The airstrike followed public threats by South Sudanese military forces who demanded the return of seized boats and labelled multiple Nuer-majority counties, including Fangak, as 'hostile'. 'Designating entire communities as hostile is deeply irresponsible and may amount to collective punishment,' said Commissioner Barney Afako. Plea for action The UN Commission has urged immediate investigations into the bombing and warned that repeated violations threaten to derail South Sudan's fragile peace. With high-level delegations from the African Union and IGAD now in the capital Juba, calls for renewed dialogue are growing louder. 'The path South Sudan is currently on is perilous,' Ms. Sooka warned. 'If attacks like these continue with impunity, the Peace Agreement risks becoming meaningless.' In his final appeal, Dr Karamagi emphasised the cost of inaction: 'Help us make sure this doesn't become the moment health – and hope – finally give way.'
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Sudan Health Sector Transformation Project: innovating health system development amid challenges
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health Organization (WHO) have signed the health systems strengthening output agreement component of the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) today, ushering in a new era of strengthened healthcare across the country. South Sudan faces health challenges exacerbated by conflict, inadequate infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change. WHO estimates indicate that the maternal mortality rate has progressively increased over the last 10 years to emerge as the highest globally at 1 223 deaths per 100,000 live births. While newborn and child mortality rates are high at 64 and 99 per 1 000 live births, respectively, and have remained stagnant over the same period. The HSTP brings a national approach to health service delivery that replaces multiple donor funded programs supporting the health sector, including the Health Pooled Fund (HPF), Covid-19 Emergency Response, and Health Systems Strengthening (CERSSP) projects. WHO support complements operational support provided through UNICEF and focuses on introducing innovative approaches to developing the health system of the country, within the context of multiple and persisting humanitarian challenges over the three-year project lifetime. The HSTP is funded through the health Muti Donor Trust Fund, which includes the World Bank, Foreign, Commonwealth&Development Office (FCDO), Canada, European Union (EU) amongst other donors amounting to USD 12.7 million. Dr Anin Ngot Mou, Undersecretary Ministry of Health stated that, "HSTP is a crucial step towards ensuring that health resources are better able to ensure our citizens have access to high-quality healthcare services. This signing of the health system strengthening output agreement of the project is significant milestone as it marks the first time the Ministry of Health is leading such an extensive endeavor. We are committed to taking full responsibility and collaborating with WHO and other partners to enhance governance, broaden health services, and move towards a sustainable healthcare system." 'This presents an opportunity to introduce new and unique innovations that will build a resilient health system for South Sudan, which will better respond to the people's unique challenges', said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan. 'The HSTP is aligned with and will significantly contribute to HSSP strategies and interventions for ensuring equal access to essential health services, strengthening health systems, and forming partnerships to achieve Universal Health Coverage.' WHO is committed to working with all stakeholders under the leadership of the Government at all levels to support the implementation of this HSTP and support movement towards Universal Health Coverage for the people of South Sudan. The signing ceremony reinforces the Government's commitment to health sector transformation under the theme "Together Towards Achieving Better Health Outcomes". This collaborative effort across the health sector stakeholders signifies a unified approach to improving health outcomes and building a resilient health sector in the context of the ongoing humanitarian challenges. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
Zawya
24-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Ministry of Health with Support from World Health Organization (WHO) reactivates the Infectious Disease Unit (IDU) In Nimule to enhance cross border public health security in South Sudan
To improve capacity for treatment of infectious diseases and mitigate the risk of cross-border disease transmission, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has established and handed over an Infectious Diseases facility in the border of Nimule to the Magwi County Health Department. The new 15 bed capacity facility is designed to bolster the country's healthcare system by providing necessary resources and infrastructure to manage infectious diseases effectively and boosting infection prevention and control. South Sudan initiated the establishment of this facility in 2022, following the declaration of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda. This facility is a product of continued investments in capacity building for emergencies preparedness and response. With the current outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda, this is the best time to functionalize this facility, given the epidemiological linkages of the two sisterly countries. This is in line with international health regulations (IHR (2005), which mandates countries to designate and strengthen capacities at points of entry to mitigate the risk of cross-border disease spread and preserve international public health security. South Sudan has heightened vigilance for Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Mpox and Cholera at all levels. National readiness and response plans for the three diseases are being used to inform investment and operational decisions. Coordination of readiness investments have commenced using the multi-disease outbreak Incident Management System (IMS) currently managing Anthrax, Cholera and Mpox outbreaks. 'Our primary focus is to enhance surveillance efforts, which includes screening all travelers at major entry points with Uganda. screening has already started in several high-risk areas.' Said Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan 'with support from WHO, a multidisciplinary team of public health experts is currently dispatched to Nimule, and Kajokeji to conduct risk assessment and define priorities for strengthening early detection, investigation, and response to Ebola Virus Disease. 'Our aim is to protect communities by preparing and responding timely to outbreaks and other public health threats and the establishment of the Infectious Disease Unit at the Nimule point of entry will help South Sudan to expand the response capacity to timely detect, assess, report and respond promptly and effectively to public health risks, said Dr Harriet Pasquale Akello, Undersecretary, Ministry of Health.' I am grateful and would like to extend my thanks to WHO and ECHO for the generous support' The 2024 Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of national capacities identified border health and Points of Entry as one of the weakest areas requiring improvement. In turn, the JEE recommended capacity assessments, contingency planning for port health services development including international travelers screening, information sharing and minimum care facilities for isolation/containment of suspected infectious diseases affected people. It is against these JEE recommendations that strengthening of IHR capacities for Juba International Airport (JIA) and other designated points of entry in Nimule and other border points is being prioritized. South Sudan has continually faced an increased risk of emerging diseases like Ebola virus, yellow fever, cholera, the ongoing COVID-19 and other diseases with a threat to international public health security due to cross-border diseases spread. WHO is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to reduce their impact on health and wellbeing. The country however continues to remain vulnerable to future events. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Sudan.
