The role of government in advancing private hospitals to improve healthcare services in South Sudan
Abstract
South Sudan’s healthcare sector faces challenges such as limited infrastructure, shortage of healthcare professionals, and insufficient funding. Private hospitals have emerged as a vital component in addressing these issues, yet their potential remains constrained without adequate government support. This article examines the strategies through which the government can advance private hospitals, including policy formulation, financial incentives, public-private partnerships, and capacity building. By fostering collaboration with the private sector, the government can strengthen the healthcare system and improve service delivery across the country.
Keywords: public-private partnerships, private hospitals, strengthen the healthcare system, South Sudan.
Introduction
Healthcare services in South Sudan are among the least developed globally, with over 70% of the population lacking access to basic medical care.[1,2,3] The public healthcare system is overstretched, underfunded, and unable to meet the growing demand for services. Private hospitals have emerged as critical players in filling these gaps. However, their growth is hindered by challenges such as high operational costs, inadequate infrastructure, and limited workforce availability. Government intervention is essential to create a conducive environment for private hospitals to thrive and contribute effectively to national healthcare delivery. Government intervention in support of private hospitals can be crucial in the following areas:
1. Policy framework and regulation
A robust policy environment can foster private sector participation in healthcare. Key government interventions include:
Healthcare policies: Developing a national policy framework that integrates private hospitals into the broader healthcare system.
Regulatory standards: Establishing clear regulations for licensing, service quality, and pricing to ensure accountability and patient safety.
Streamlined processes: Reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expediting approval processes for private sector projects.
Example: Rwanda’s regulatory reforms have encouraged private healthcare investment, leading to increased healthcare access in underserved regions.[4]
2. Financial incentives and investments
Private hospitals face significant financial challenges due to the high costs of medical equipment, infrastructure, and human resources. The government can address these issues through:
Tax relief: Exemptions on medical equipment and construction materials for private hospitals.
Subsidies and grants: Offering financial support for private hospitals operating in rural or underserved areas.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborating with private hospitals to fund and operate healthcare facilities, as demonstrated in Kenya’s healthcare PPP initiatives.[4,5]
3. Capacity building and human resource development
South Sudan faces a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, with only 1.5 physicians per 10,000 people.[1,3] Government strategies should include:
Training programmes: Partnering with private hospitals to establish continuous professional training centres for nurses, midwives, and doctors.
Scholarship schemes: Providing scholarships for medical doctors committed to working in the country.
Knowledge exchange: Facilitating exchange programmes between private and public sector professionals to enhance skills.
4. Infrastructure development
Inadequate infrastructure remains a major barrier to effective healthcare delivery. The government can support private hospitals by:
Improving accessibility: Developing road networks and transportation services to connect hospitals with remote communities.
Reliable utilities: Ensuring stable electricity, water, and internet services for healthcare facilities including private hospitals.
Health zones: Establishing health clusters where public and private facilities share resources and infrastructure.
Example: The Ethiopian government’s investment in rural healthcare infrastructure has significantly increased private sector involvement in the health system.[6]
5. Strengthening public awareness and advocacy
Collaboration between the government and private hospitals can improve public health outcomes through:
Health campaigns: Jointly promoting awareness about maternal health, immunization, and disease prevention.
Community outreach: Partnering on outreach programmes to provide mobile health services in underserved areas.
6. Monitoring and accountability
Effective oversight ensures that private hospitals adhere to high standards of care and ethical practices. The government can implement:
Audits: Regular inspections of both public and private hospitals to monitor compliance with regulations.
Feedback mechanisms: Establishing platforms for patient feedback to improve service delivery.
Performance indicators: Using key metrics to evaluate the impact of private hospitals on public health outcomes.
Case study: Public-Private Partnership in South Sudan
Dreams Medical Complex in Sherikat, along the Juba-Nimule highway, and St. Kizito Medical Center in Munuki adjacent to St. Kizito Parish demonstrate the potential of Public- Private Partnership in South Sudan. Both facilities provide a free expanded programme on immunization (EPI) services to both mothers and children through support from the State Ministry of Health of Central Equatoria. While both facilities provide free services to the clients, the state ministry of health provides them the needed EPI supplies, filling critical gaps in the public health services. With government support to more private hospitals in South Sudan, such collaboration could improve EPI services coverage across the country.
Conclusion
The government of South Sudan has a crucial role in advancing private hospitals to enhance healthcare delivery. By implementing supportive policies, providing financial incentives, investing in infrastructure, and fostering collaboration through public-private partnerships, the government can create a sustainable and equitable healthcare system. Strengthening the private healthcare sector is not just a policy choice but a necessity to address the pressing health challenges facing the nation.
References
- World Health Organization. 2023. Healthcare Systems in Fragile States: Challenges and Opportunities. https://www.who.int/activities/accessing-essential-health-services-in-fragile-conflict-affected-and-vulnerable-settings
- World bank Group 2022: South Sudan Recieves120 m USD to continue strengthening Service delivery, community institutions, and resilience to floods. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/03/15/southsudan
- Ministry of Health, South Sudan. 2024. National Health Strategy Framework. https://moh.gov.ss/health_policy_and_planning.php
- UNDP. (2023). Promoting Public-Private Partnerships in Healthcare Delivery. https://www.undp.org/kyrgyzstan/press-releases/undp-promotes-public-private-partnership-sustainable-regional-development
- Public–Private Partnerships for Universal Health Coverage in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391001649_PublicPrivate_Partnerships_for_Universal_Health_Coverage_in_SubSaharan_Africa_A_Scoping_Review_Protocol
UNICEF. The state of the world`s children (2024): The Role of Infrastructure in Advancing Health Outcomes in Africa. www.unicef.org/media/165156/file/SOWC-2024-full-report-EN,pdf
