Support to the Health Pooled Fund

The Health Pooled Fund aims to improve the health and well-being of the South Sudanese population in 8 of South Sudan’s 10 states. Canada’s contribution to the Health Pooled Fund helps ensure that quality health services including sexual and reproductive health services are available in about 800 of South Sudan’s health facilities and surrounding communities. Canada’s contribution also helps increase awareness of healthy behaviours including women’s and adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights. This project builds on previous support to the Health Pooled Fund and is part of Canada’s commitment to improving global health and human rights. Project activities include: (1) delivering life-saving health and nutrition services in hospitals health facilities and communities; (2) recruiting and training health workers; (3) procuring and distributing essential medicines and medical equipment; (4) delivering family health sessions to educate communities on family planning child health and nutrition and gender-based violence; (5) strengthening community health committees and enhancing women’s leadership; and (6) training and mentoring Ministry of Health personnel. The Health Pooled Fund expects to reach 7.9 million South Sudanese annually by 2024 or 65% of the country’s population with women and children as the primary beneficiaries.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to quality inclusive health and nutrition services including sexual and reproductive health services; (2) increased healthy behaviours and practices supportive of women’s and girls’ health rights; and (3) more inclusive and accountable state-level health systems and policy environments that respond to the needs of the South Sudanese people. This includes the specific needs of women and girls persons with disabilities and persons living with mental illness.