The Pharmacists Society of South Sudan. (Madrama James).

The Pharmaceutical Society of South Sudan is urging the national government to increase the budget for the Ministry of Health for better universal health coverage in the country.

Dr. Emmanuel Galla Lado, the association’s chairperson says, the recent 2% budget allocation to the Ministry of Health is not enough to purchase quality medicines and deliver other health-related activities across the country.

“We want the government to support the Ministry of Health, by first of all increasing the budget allocation to the Ministry of Health. If you look at the budget currently it is 2% of the National Budget,” Gala said.

“This is not enough at all to do any activities. Leave alone to provide the medicine to the country. So, if these budgets are increase, I believe the Ministry of Health will have a lot of tools to reach many parts of the country with health service.”

Dr. Galla spoke to Eye Radio during a two-day conference to commemorate the World Pharmacist Day.

He further appealed to South Sudan’s international partners to provide scholarship programs for medical cadres currently working in the country.

“I would like to say that by getting scholarship we will be able to train our cadres with the help of Ministry of Health. Our international community has been always supportive in terms of medical fields and also, I will ask them to continue supporting us. And also train medical cadres who are already working in the fields.”

The two-day event was held under the theme; “Pharmacy in Strengthening the Health System for Universal Health Coverage in South Sudan.”

80 percent of the health care services in South Sudan are delivered by international humanitarian partners with general provision availability at only 30 percent.

However, in 2021, donor countries comprising some European Union member states scaled down funding, leaving most health facilities in shambles.

Since then, most primary healthcare units started experiencing shortfalls including the Yambio Civil Hospital.

In July 2023, health professionals in South Sudan wrote to President Salva Kiir demanding action to strengthen deteriorating healthcare services in the country.