Funding and gap for malaria strategic plan 2020-2025 - Credit: MoH

The Ministry of Health has appealed for intervention from the country’s private sector to help fill the gap in controlling and preventing the spread of malaria in the country.

According to the Health Ministry, the malaria program receives only 1% from the 2023/2024 fiscal year budget and 15% from partners, making it difficult to prevent and control the spread of the mosquito-borne infectious disease.

The health institution adds that it needs up to $247,583,404 to fill the funding gap and for the effective implementation of the Malaria Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Dr. Joseph Panyuan Puok, Director of malaria programs at the National Ministry of Health, says the mosquito-borne infectious disease is a burden to South Sudan.

“60% and more of consultations in health facilities are always taken over by malaria and 50% of deaths that happen in health facilities are also led by malaria and 35% of admissions in any health facilities are always due to malaria,” Panyuan said.  

“Therefore, we have to accept that it is a big burden and it is a burden that can be confronted by many actors.”

“Among the actors are the private sectors, which can also help us fight the disease in many ways in behaviour change in creating awareness in the communities.” He added.   

On December 20^th, 2023, the Ministry of Health with support from the UN Children’s Agency – UNICEF engaged with the private sector to sensitize them on the need to invest in malaria prevention and response.

The one-day advocacy meeting with private sectors brought together the telecommunication companies, media houses, pharmaceutical companies, civil societies, oil companies, banks as well as key traders in the country.

“The private sector can also engage and collaborate with the government, civil societies, and other stakeholders in formulating implementing malaria policy and strategies such as advocating for increased funding, regulation, and coordination or participating in multisectoral platforms and networks.” Dr. Joseph Panyuan stated.  

He said he expects the private sector to contribute towards improving malaria control methods, including vaccines, drugs, diagnosis, and research.

“Investing and innovating in developing and delivering new and improved malaria tools and methods such as vaccines, drugs, diagnosis or digital solutions or partnering with research and development institutions.”

“Therefore, by joining hands with the government, UNICEF, and partners in the fight against malaria, the private sectors can return boost production by improving the health and wellbeing of their employees, customers, and communities, we can increase productivity.”

Meanwhile, Michael Berhane, a pharmacist at Star Pharmaceuticals Company in Juba, says there is a need to import effective malaria treatment drugs and other related supplies.

This according to him will enhance treatment and reduce the chain of malaria transmission among the local population in the country.

“Pharmaceutical companies, we have to come with the best quality product and also the malaria control programme they have to come with their strategy to increase awareness in alignment with private sectors, we can work a lot,” Berhane said during the advocacy meeting.  

Star Pharmaceuticals Company is one of the leading Pharmaceutical Companies in South Sudan dealing in the importation and distribution of medical supplies.

Berhane says he wonders why South Sudan authorities permit substandard malaria products to be sold in the markets.

“When I came here, I challenged myself with the best medication the market of South Sudan is full of fake substandard products, I am speaking confidently. He stressed.

“Drugs which are banned in Sub Sahara Africa, in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, you will find it here.”

“The thing is the national regulatory level of most African countries is according to GBT tool (Global Benchmark), out of 54 countries only four have, their maturity level has reached like level three. 50 countries, from Africa or almost 50 countries, they are unable to give their population high-quality standard product.” The pharmacist explained.        

For his part, Atem Agot Deng, Social Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF, says eradicating malaria in the country requires combined efforts from different stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Country’s deputy representative, Atem says children under the age of five are the most affected.

“The combined effort of stakeholders is essential if we are to achieve our ambitious goal of eradicating malaria in South Sudan.”

“A WHO report indicates that in 2021 alone, there were an estimated 247,000 000 cases of Malaria worldwide resulting in 619,000 deaths. In the same year, more than two million South Sudanese were diagnosed with malaria and 4,200 people died of malaria.”

“Children under the age of five years are particularly vulnerable to Malaria accounting for 67% of deaths among children.”

Atem, says South Sudan needs to move from the stage of the Malaria control program into an elimination stage.

“Malaria is a burden it causes the country economically, it causes the country life wise, it causes the country on the resources on the resources drained and it causes the country on handling it.”

“I have been to many forums even in the region counterparts when they introduce themselves, they say they are for the national malaria elimination programme but for us, we are still at control programme that we need to make a move.”

“To move in a positive direction towards the elimination of malaria which is a full burden.”

Malaria prevalence in South Sudan 

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the parasite called plasmodium and is transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

Its signs and symptoms appear mainly within 10 days to one month and include fever, sweating, headache, chills, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting among others.

According to the Ministry of Health, UNICE and the Global Fund report Malaria remains a major public health in South Sudan with significant economic and social impact.

It reported that in 2021 alone, about two million people were diagnosed with malaria and 4,220 deaths were registered due to malaria in South Sudan.

The latest WHO World Malaria report indicates that there were 249 million malaria cases in 2022 compared to 244 million cases in 2021.

The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 608 000 in 2022 compared to 610 000 in 2021 according to WHO report.

Role of private sectors in Malaria prevention

The Ministry of Health and the UN Children Agency – UNICEF advise the public to prevent the spread of Malaria by avoiding mosquito bites by sleeping under long-lasting insecticidal nets.

It believes that private sectors in the country can play a critical role in preventing and controlling malaria, creating a healthier workforce and contributing to economic development.

This includes providing long-lasting insecticidal nets to employees and their families for protection and sleeping and training healthcare providers by building the capacity to diagnose and treat malaria correctly.

Others include providing access to rapid diagnosis testing – RDTs for accurate and timely diagnosis.