UNICEF and UK launch major healthcare upgrade in S. Sudan

UNICEF, in partnership with the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the South Sudan Ministry of Health, has launched a six-month programme to improve health services for mothers, newborns, and children in crisis-affected regions across South Sudan.

The programme, “Building Resilient Primary Health Care Systems: Community Health and Health Facility Support in South Sudan,” will focus on rehabilitating and constructing hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) across Upper Nile, Unity, Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Eastern Equatoria states.

David Ashley, UK Ambassador to South Sudan, emphasized the programme’s impact in a statement seen by The Radio Community (TRC).

“This latest UK contribution will improve essential health services for mothers and children in seven states across South Sudan. It is part of a wider package of UK support to the health sector in South Sudan that includes USD26 million to the Health Sector Transformation Project as well as additional support for the Boma Health Initiative and for sexual and reproductive health service,” Ashley said.

“We call again on Government and Parliament to demonstrate that the welfare of the South Sudanese people is their highest priority by significantly increasing the currently very low budget allocation for health and other basic services.”

Planned upgrades include expanding maternity wards, refurbishing operating theatres, building staff housing, installing solar power, upgrading water and sanitation systems, and developing cold chain storage for vaccines.

The facilities are expected to be officially handed over to the Government of South Sudan by March 2026.

Ismail Kamil, UNICEF’s representative in South Sudan, also highlighted the programme’s benefits for communities:

"This investment is crucial for South Sudan’s health system. By boosting community services via the Boma Health Initiative and enhancing health facility infrastructure, we are supporting pregnant women, newborns, and children in accessing vital care even in tough situations,” Kamil stated.

The programme combines infrastructure upgrades with community health support to build a stronger, more resilient system capable of maintaining essential services during conflicts, displacement, and climate-related challenges.

The initiative is part of the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP), a multi-partner, government-led health programme that replaced the Health Pooled Fund (HPF) in July 2024.

In November 2025, the United Kingdom announced a $26 million investment through the World Bank-led multi-donor trust fund.