South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has announced a 90-day emergency preparedness and response budget of approximately $7.3 million aimed at strengthening the country’s readiness against a possible Ebola outbreak.
The funding plan comes amid growing regional concerns following reported Ebola cases in neighbouring countries, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance and prevention measures across South Sudan.
According to the ministry, the budget will support a range of critical interventions designed to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and ensure rapid response in the event of confirmed cases.
Key priority areas include strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) systems in health facilities, improving disease surveillance at border points and communities, enhancing laboratory capacity, and reinforcing rapid response mechanisms nationwide.
The government also plans to establish and equip isolation centres in strategic locations across the country to ensure suspected Ebola patients can be identified and treated quickly while limiting further transmission.
Speaking during the announcement, Health Minister Luka Thomson Thoan said the government would finance 30 percent of the total budget, while the remaining 70 percent is expected to be provided by international health partners and donors.
He noted that South Sudan is working closely with regional and global health agencies to coordinate preparedness activities and mobilise the required resources before any outbreak occurs within the country.
The minister further revealed that development partners supporting the preparedness and response plan are being coordinated through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
According to Thoan, a significant portion of the required funding has already been mobilised, raising hopes that the country will be able to strengthen its health emergency systems in time.
Health experts warn that South Sudan remains vulnerable to cross-border disease outbreaks due to frequent population movement, porous borders, and limited healthcare infrastructure in some parts of the country.
Authorities have since urged the public to remain alert, report suspected cases early, and cooperate with health officials as preparedness measures continue to be rolled out nationwide.
