Implementation of COVID-19 emergency response strategies in South Sudan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges worldwide, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities in healthcare systems. As the world’s newest country, South Sudan faced many healthcare barriers that led to distinct challenges in managing the pandemic. After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan experienced further conflict driven largely by ethnic divisions and competition over resources. The nation was pressed to navigate the pandemic with a healthcare system that has been battered by conflict and inadequate funding.

This manuscript assesses emergency management strategies implemented in South Sudan during the COVID-19 pandemic, using publicly-available government, private sector, and academic sources. A structured analysis of key components of emergency response—human resources, health service delivery, and logistics– was conducted. Interventions by the Ministry of Health (MOH) included community-based surveillance, updated care guidelines, increased risk communication and community engagement. Despite these, a lack of trust in the government and healthcare system, security challenges, limited resources, and dependence on international aid were identified as notable barriers to the country’s pandemic response. The vaccination campaign in South Sudan was particularly challenging, with only a small percentage of the nation being vaccinated by 2023 despite efforts to increase coverage. While the impact of the strategies implemented cannot be fully appreciated due to limited data, their study can still inform approaches to future public health emergencies.