Khartoum, Sudan, 8 July 2018 – The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health and with a generous contribution from the Government of Japan, has jointly launched a one-year project to strengthen the decentralization of the health system in 5 of Sudan’s 18 states.

Forty-six localities and administrative units in the 5 states of Sennar, North Kordofan, West Kordofan, West Darfur and Central Darfur will be first targeted with strengthening universal health coverage (UHC) through building the capacities involved in the decentralization of health institutions linked to the Health in All Policies governmental programme.

The one-year project focuses on key evidence-based health issues like the organization and management of the sub-national health system, capacity-building, and innovative community engagement.

“The Federal Ministry of Health would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the people and government of Japan for their continued support to Sudan. Japan’s generous contributions will certainly assist in boosting the implementation of universal health coverage and contribute to achieving sustainable development in Sudan,” said Sudan’s Federal Minister of Health Mr Bahar Idris Abu Garda.

Building strong and resilient communities with governed subnational health systems is a pressing need in Sudan. The increased public health threats like the outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea have significantly impacted the achievement of UHC in the country.

“Sudan is one of our priority countries in promoting UHC. The outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea in 2016 and 2017 is still fresh in our memory. There is, thus, an urgent need for strengthening the health system available for all, including vulnerable people, and building preparedness for another pandemic and to achieve UHC in this country,” said H.E. Mr. Shinji Urabayashi, Ambassador of Japan in Sudan.

“WHO and the health partners are committed to bringing solutions to support Sudan’s Ministry of Health in strengthening the subnational health systems through updated decentralized health system policy, capacity-building programmes, and support to localities health management teams,” said Dr Naeema Al Gasseer, WHO Representative in Sudan. “We will unite efforts to address health system bottlenecks and enhance the resilience of the subnational infrastructure to halt and respond to any future outbreaks.”

Sudan’s National Health Policy 2017–2030 provides overall guidance for health system reform in the country and a re-oriented health system to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to promote health and disease prevention, and ensure a healthy lifestyle for all at all ages.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Imadeldin Ismail
WHO Technical Officer
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Note for editors

Sudan joined the International Health Partnership (IHP+) in 2011 and endorsed the Universal Health Coverage Partnership for UHC 2030. WHO has continued to support the advancement of the country towards UHC as the closest partner to the government of Sudan. The National Health Sector Strategy 2017–2020 places UHC and primary health care high on its agenda within the framework of a decentralized local health system