Dr. Makur Koryom speaking during the launch of the state of world population 2019 report by United Nations Population Fund in Juba on Monday, 15.04.2019

The undersecretary of the ministry of health says the poor healthcare in South Sudan is due to concentration of major health facilities in urban centers compared to those in the rural areas where majority of the population lives.

According to UN estimates, only 44 percent of citizens are able to access health services in the country.

“Why are we doing so little almost ten years since independence is also a function of so many things, ” Dr. Makur Koryom asked.

He made the remarks during the launch of the state of world population 2019 report by United Nations Population Fund in Juba on Monday.

He said those who have access to state resources and working class are the ones who can afford health services.

“But who are those? It’s me, it’s you your Excellency, and your deputy minister and those who are sitting around here,” said Dr Makur.

Dr. Koryom went on to say since 2014, the government has not been able to purchase essential medical supplies for the people due to under-funding of the health sector.

This, he said, has made the country so dependent on the international community.

“Let me say the donor community has being doing a lot to support health care in this country. Since 2014 we have never as a government procured medicines for the country,” Dr Makur said:

“I am not saying this secretly Your Excellency [Dr James Wani Igga], since 2014 we have never as a government procures medicine for the country.

“Our list of essential medicines has been reduced from 200 to only 73, because that’s what the donor money can afford.”

“It tells us that there is more that we need to as a government and to encourage and motivate our donors to invest in health.”