Ministry of Health Launches Five-Year Plan to Improve Eye Care Services

By Jenifer James

The National Ministry of Health on Thursday launched the National Eye Care Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and a new curriculum for training Ophthalmic Clinical Officers as the government seeks to strengthen eye care services and address preventable blindness.

The five-year strategic plan is aimed at improving access to quality eye care services across the country, strengthening the health workforce and expanding efforts to prevent and treat avoidable vision loss.

speaking during the commemoration of World Sight Day 2026 in Juba on Thursday, Director General for Medical Services Alier Ngok Deng reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening eye care services in public health facilities across the country.

He said the country continues to face a high burden of preventable blindness, but assured the public that the government is working with partners to expand eye care outreach services across different parts of the country.

“As all of you are aware, South Sudan is one of the countries with a high burden of preventable blindness in Africa,” Deng said.

Deng said the five-year strategic plan will strengthen eye care services and improve access to treatment for people with eye conditions.

He also called for continued support from partners, address challenges hampering progress in strengthening eye care services.

“So today, what I want to say is that we accept what has happened and we appreciate your endurance to what has been going on to continue supporting South Sudan. So please continue supporting us,” Deng said.

For his part, Francis Odor, Country representative of Christian Blind Mission (CBM) said the launch of the strategic plan and training curriculum marked important steps towards strengthening South Sudan’s eye health system and bringing services closer to communities.

Odor said improving eye health requires more than clinical services, stressing the need for strong government leadership, a skilled workforce, adequate resources, community awareness, early detection and referral, as well as accessible and inclusive services for persons with disabilities.

“These are indeed important steps towards strengthening eye health systems and bringing services closer to people,” Odor said.

He reaffirmed CBM’s commitment to working with the government and other partners to strengthen inclusive eye health services and reduce avoidable blindness.

Meanwhile, Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, Rina Rina Donga, called for stronger eye care services, particularly at the primary health care and community levels.

She urged communities to promote eye health from an early age and seek timely medical attention whenever eye problems are identified.

“We need to strengthen early treatment. If you see someone who has eye problems, let us respond to it before it grows worse,” Donga said.

She also called for the expansion of affordable and accessible eye care services, particularly in underserved communities.