Minister of Health Addresses Urgent Issues in Health at WHO Regional Meeting

Lusaka, Zambia 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – South Sudan's Minister of Health Addresses Urgent Issues in Health at WHO Regional Meeting

Republic of South Sudan Minister of Health, Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial led a delegation to the 75th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, on August 27, 2025. The high-level session of health ministers from 47 countries in Africa met to discuss key health issues on the continent. Some of the priority sectors were Universal Health Coverage (UHC), health security, emergency preparedness, and disease control of malaria and cholera.

Cholera Crisis in Focus

Speaking at a concentrated meeting with the WHO Regional Director and other cholera-endemic countries' ministers, Minister  Sarah Cleto bemoaned the dire effects of recent cholera outbreaks in South Sudan. She reported over 89,600 cases and 1,551 deaths since September 2024.

And in reciprocation, the Ministry of Health has made extensive interventions, among which are:

• Establishing 108 oral rehydration sites.
• Running 88 cholera treatment centers.
• Commissioning 19 treatment centers.

Current Challenges and an Appeal to Action

Despite these efforts, the Minister noted that there are still numerous challenges. These are coordination gaps, insufficient surveillance, ongoing insecurity in certain areas, inadequate water and sanitation facilities in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, and insufficient funding.

Minister Sarah Cleto reaffirmed South Sudan's devotion to the 2030 Global Cholera Control Strategy. The Minister highlighted the need for international supporters providing swift technical and financial support to overcome these limitations. The Minister reaffirmed that early detection, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and active community involvement are critical to cholera control and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.