On Monday, the British government put on hold its intention to cut its £130 million aid package for South Sudan’s public hospitals. This comes after the health minister for South Sudan has issued a warning that her nation lacks the resources needed to assume the budget gap left if the UK withdraws funding.
In July, the British government announced its intention to stop giving aid to nine state hospitals in South Sudan from 1 August, raising fears that the move will lead to the complete collapse of the war-torn country’s health system reported BBC.
According to the British government website, the UK is the second largest bilateral provider of much-needed humanitarian assistance and the lead provider of health and education services in South Sudan. In 2018, the UK had 400 troops providing engineering and medical services to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
Funding was scheduled to be cut at the beginning of August this year but it has now been postponed for two more months. The UK contributes funding to Sudan’s healthcare budget for antenatal care, medical supplies, and employee salaries.
