World Tuberculosis Day: How South Sudan commemorates 24th March, 2025.

By Agar Mayor Gai-Makoon

Yesterday, I imagined how 24^th March this year would be expounded by the South Sudanese population. Given the critical health services deterioration in the previous year, and recent cuts in the global health financing, it is clear that there are possible discrepancies in the manner of commemorating this day among countries. In South Sudan for instance, the World Tuberculosis Day reminds us of the many healthcare challenges ahead and the need for drastic approaches to current public health problems. This is a stark opposite of what 24^th March every year, ought to present to people across the world. On it, we should celebrate achievements in the healthcare innovation, new diagnostic approaches in the treatment of the tuberculosis disease. But today, here we are, grappling with political conflicts and fear of potential armed conflict in South Sudan.

Though support and commitment to improving TB diagnosis and treatment by the ministry of health and its partners like the UNDP through the implementing agencies, Medicins Sans Frontiers and many others could not be undermined, concerted efforts are direly needed.

In the coming months, serious breakdown in the tuberculosis response is expected due to funding cuts. And because South Sudan healthcare programs especially TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria programs heavily rely on aid, tuberculosis is expected to spread and kill many people. And worse, South Sudan seems to be diverted away from health issues by the ongoing political conflict. Perhaps, this could also speed up the spread of the deadly tuberculosis disease among the local population. South Sudan is also in a scenarion where the whole healthcare system is overwhelmed. So, the fight is not only against the tuberculosis disease. There are a couple of them, and thus concerted effort against these diseases would be divided and less effective. So, what is the solution? Today’s theme for this year is the answer—Commit, Invest and Deliver.

Firstly, when it’s said that an institution is committed to a certain course, it means that it has adopted an approach or a plan to achieve a specific goal. For instance, there is the South Sudan National health policy 2016-2026. This policy underscores the national ministry’s commitment to building a healthcare system that is sustainable and patient-centered. Again, this year on this day 24^th March, 2025, South Sudan is called to commit itself to tackling the burdens that Tuberculosis disease has placed on a huge number of its population. It is not a hard thing to do. All that we need is to have the will and the ability to help to our vulnerable population. So, there is a need for right people in the ministry of health now because we have got to commit our energies and knowledge to the fight against the deadliest infectious disease in the world.

Secondly, investing in the healthcare means directing enough funds into health programs. The fund could be a donation from individuals or private sector, or it could be a government budget allocation to health sector. In this country, the funds from the private or government sectors have either been misused or insufficient. For instance, the fund assistance by the donor agencies to the healthcare have not yielded their equivalence since independence. That is to say, if all the donations to healthcare system development were appropriately used, South Sudan would have a sustainable and self-sufficient healthcare sector today.

We won’t be crying foul now that president Trump has cut funds to global support programs. Instead, squandering of funds even when someone believes that strong healthcare system could generate more money for himself and the country, has become a new normal in this country. South Sudan must strive to build people who see beyond today’s meal and be well aware that investing in health is more economical than health. It is never a wasted fund. Perhaps, the national ministry of health should back initiatives that call for increased private and public financing of health programs. The health cluster in the national parliament with guidance from the national ministry should spearhead the call for enough budget allocation to this critical sector.

Lastly, after commitment and investment comes the delivery. The final point in the health service is where the patient receives their health needs—correct diagnosis, correct and affordable treatment e.g. availability of drugs or elaborate guidance on disease prevention. South Sudan healthcare sector aims to reach this end of line. But the challenge is that however much health service delivery is important and needed, South Sudan has a lot more obstacles to achieving a reliable and sustainable health service delivery system.

Human resource shortages as physician to patient ratio is 1: 65,000. So, basically, service health delivery is severely affected due to insufficient number of medical personnel. Lack of diagnostic services also, impedes diagnosis of diseases. And this is an obstacle to correct patient care and support. Strong healthcare system means availability of sufficient medical personnel and diagnostic tools. And today, 24^th March 2025, should remind South Sudan that the need for a sustainable health system—capable of controlling infectious diseases like the TB, requires commitment to, investing in and delivery of needed health services to the people. Let’s do it.

The writer has a background in socio-political philosophy. He currently studies medicine at Ain Shams university, Cairo, Egypt. He can be reached on +201129107334 or thieng.thiengwada@gmail.com