By Anak Dut Malual
The Lakes State Caretaker Minister of Health, Dr. Makur Matur Koriom, has acknowledged persistent challenges facing the health sector, saying the government is working to improve access to adequate, affordable and satisfactory healthcare services as 114 health science students begin their final examinations in Rumbek.
Dr. Koriom made the remarks on Monday, November 9, 2026, while officially launching the five-day national qualifying examinations at Rumbek Health Science Institute, one of 33 health science institutions participating in the nationwide assessment across South Sudan.
The examinations involve students enrolled in four health training programmes at the institute: Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery and Laboratory Technology.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Koriom wished the candidates success and urged them to maintain honesty, discipline and professionalism throughout the examination period.
He cautioned students against examination malpractice, warning that dishonesty among healthcare professionals could put patients’ lives at risk and undermine the country’s health system.
“A healthcare professional who cheats will not be safe for our patients and our health system,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Marko Marjan, said the examinations were designed to assess the knowledge and practical skills students had acquired during their three years of training.
He said national examiners from the Ministry of Health had been deployed to supervise the exercise and ensure that the examinations were conducted in accordance with the required standards.
The Chief Invigilator, Iwa Martin Francis, said 114 candidates were participating in the examinations, comprising 107 finalists and seven students sitting supplementary examinations.
He added that the exercise was being conducted simultaneously at 33 health science institutions across the country.
The Acting Principal of Rumbek Health Science Institute, Khaman Akech Matot, urged candidates to approach the examinations with confidence, discipline, respect and professionalism.
Matot said the institute currently offers training in Midwifery, Nursing, Laboratory Technology and Clinical Medicine, adding that pharmaceutical studies had also been approved for introduction this year.
He encouraged parents and communities in Lakes State and other parts of South Sudan to enrol their children at the institution, describing it as an important centre for producing skilled healthcare workers for the country.
He also appealed to the Lakes State Ministry of Health to absorb and deploy graduates from the institute to health facilities across the state and beyond.
However, Matot raised concerns over financial and infrastructure challenges affecting the institution, saying many students had struggled to pay their tuition fees due to the country’s difficult economic situation.
He said the institute was also facing deteriorating student dormitories, inadequate infrastructure and limited resources to maintain its facilities.
The Acting Principal appealed to development partners supporting health programmes in Lakes State to visit the institution, assess its needs and provide the necessary assistance.
He further called on the state and national ministries of health to strengthen supervision and support efforts to address the challenges facing the institute.
The five-day examinations are scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 13, 2026.
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