By Matik Kueth
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has instructed the newly appointed Minister of Health, Sarah Cleto, to spearhead critical reforms aimed at transforming healthcare delivery across the nation.
Kiir made this directive at Cleto’s swearing-in ceremony at the State House on Wednesday.
He described Cleto’s appointment as “well-deserved” and urged her to confront the country’s health challenges head-on.
The head of state emphasized that South Sudanese deserve better services and called on citizens to unite behind national progress rather than division.
The appointment comes at a time when the country faces persistent healthcare challenges, including understaffed facilities, medicine shortages, and poor infrastructure made worse by years of conflict and economic instability.
Stephen Par Kuol, Interim Chairman of SPLM-IO and a prominent voice at the ceremony, underscored the importance of strong leadership in the health ministry.
On her part, Minister Cleto, known for her background in public health and advocacy, vowed to take on the mission with urgency and integrity.
The health ministry has been left vacant since President Kiir sacked Yolanda Awel on February 9, 2025, a move that caused an impasse between the SPLA-IO and the government.
The First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, had urged Kiir to reinstate Awel, but nothing was done.
Last week, Stephen Phar Kuol, the Minister of Peacebuilding, told King Media in an interview that Cleto was appointed as health minister