South Sudan, US sign $146 million health deal
U.S. Ambassador Michael J. Adler and Health Undersecretary Dr. Oromo Francis sign a health partnership agreement in Juba. | File photo
The government of South Sudan and the United States have signed a partnership agreement on health cooperation worth 146 million US dollars aimed at strengthening the country’s health system and improving resilience against disease outbreaks
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday in Juba by the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Oromo Francis, and the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler
The 146 million United States dollars package will support the Ministry of Health and expand cooperation in the health sector, including support for people living with HIV through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
The signing comes as South Sudan continues efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Speaking after the signing, U.S. Ambassador Michael Adler said Washington remains the largest contributor to regional efforts aimed at preventing and responding to Ebola threats
“We also took the opportunity to sign our new Memorandum of Understanding on health cooperation with South Sudan, the Undersecretary of Health and I signed
“And this pertains to our broader cooperation in the health sector, most notably to help those suffering from HIV through PEPFAR, where the United States continues to be the largest donor,” the US ambassador explained
He said the United States supports the response through United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and other partners
Ambassador Adler added that the new MoU will expand cooperation in the health sector, including support for people living with HIV through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Dr. Luke Thomson Thon, said the agreement includes a health cooperation package worth 146 million US dollars to support the Ministry of Health
“The MOU has substantive provisions that provides for health cooperation agreement which has a package of 146 million United States dollars to be offered to the Ministry of Health by the government of the United States,” Minister Luke said
Dr. Luke said the partnership will help strengthen health services and improve the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies
He also said South Sudan remains free of Ebola cases and called on the United States to review its travel advisory and restrictions on South Sudanese citizens
He urged the public to remain vigilant, follow Ministry of Health guidelines and report any suspected cases, stressing that South Sudan remains Ebola-free
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