South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday, instructed the newly appointed Health Minister, Sarah Cleto Rial, to confront the various health challenges facing the country.
This directive comes at a time when South Sudan is grappling with significant health issues, including a fragile public health system, inadequate access to services, and a high prevalence of preventable diseases such as malaria, cholera, and measles.
These challenges are exacerbated by conflict, displacement, and climate change, impacting maternal and child health as well as mental health.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Health Minister in Juba on Wednesday, Kiir encouraged the Minister to implement reforms in the health sector in a bid to improve services.
“You need to address the key underlying challenges confronting the country’s health sector, emphasising the need for change and improved service delivery,” Kiir said in a statement issued by the Press Unit on Wednesday.
Kiir also appealed to the citizens to denounce division and work towards building a united and peaceful nation.
For her part, Minister Sarah Cleto vowed to serve diligently to realise the aspirations of the people.
“She also pledged to ensure transparency and accountability in her work, promising results-based performance in service to the nation.”
Amb. Stephen Par Kuol, Interim Chairman of the SPLM-IO Splinter group, praised the President for appointing Sarah as Health Minister, noting that her appointment comes at a crucial time as the nation direly needs healthcare services.
President Kiir appointed Sarah Cleto Pial as Minister of Health in a presidential decree read on SSBC on 27 May 2025.
Her appointment marks a significant development for the country’s health sector, which has been without a permanent minister since the dismissal of Yolanda Awel Deng in February 2025.
