The government has hinted at the possibility to revive South Sudan’s faltering health system days after the coronavirus pandemic infected 133 health workers.

The Ministry of Health says the government has embarked on resetting a defined health system and getting the right administration that delivers to the satisfaction of the citizens.

The revelation came during a coronavirus press briefing at the country’s Blood Bank Sunday.

Professor Mayen Achiek, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health said the obsolete health system has been in existence for more than a decade and very little was done to ensure its revival adding that efforts are underway to restructure the critical sector.

“So, the whole Ministry of Health is working very hard day in and out. We are trying to set things right,” Achiek said.

The Undersecretary said the improvement of health workers’ wages were among the top priorities of the planned restructuring program.

“We are trying so hard to make sure all our health workers are getting the right incentives. This is a priority and to make sure that the health workers are working in the right working environment.

“Job satisfaction is important and we are trying to set a system that you can follow, a system where even when others are asleep, those who are on a night shift can work, this is what we are embarking on,” Achiek explained.

The Professor added that “although our health care facilities have not been functioning satisfactorily for several years, it is the Ministry’s priority to set it right.”

South Sudan’s health sector has been heavily supported by the international Non-Governmental Organizations, who the government says have done very little to meet the health needs of the citizens.

“We looked at the reasons as to why they are not doing enough, it is because we are not seeing following seamless systems or the healthcare deliveries that go with minimum dissatisfaction,” he said.

The ministry introduced ten guiding principles, which encompass clear job descriptions of health workers fine-tuned with their qualifications.

Achiek blamed lack of clear government-defined principles in contracting health partners saying some people come to South Sudan and sign a memorandum of understanding and do health-related business without completing formal procedures.

He said a body of 11 consultants, inclusive of four individuals from their partners to make decisions together shall be formed.

South Sudan became independent in July 2011 before being engulfed into civil war two years later, leaving the health sector in shambles and struggling to recover as the country’s political elites continue to seek medication abroad.

According to the Global WorkForce Alliance Health, South Sudan faces a severe shortage of all categories of trained health professionals, which resulted in the country relying on inadequately trained or low-skilled health workers.

A lack of a federal Human Resources for Health retention policy; high staff turnover in all government-managed health facilities; lack of financial resources for training output; and poor health resource management which is reflected in a lack of job descriptions, low and irregularly paid wages, and a lack of supervision at all levels have downgraded the standard of the health system in the country