Foundation Announces Major Health Initiative to Combat Rising Malaria Crisis Affecting Over 13,000 People

JUBA/BENTIU, November 10, 2025 – In response to the alarming malaria outbreak in Unity State that has claimed 12 lives and infected 13,639 people between July and October 2025, the Wani Igga Foundation has announced a comprehensive, community-driven intervention program aimed at saving lives and strengthening health systems in the Republic of South Sudan. This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to social upliftment and the achievement of global health goals under UN SDG 2030, African Union Agenda 2063, and South Sudan’s national development priorities.

The Crisis: An Urgent Call for Action

Health authorities in Unity State have raised serious concerns over the unprecedented rise in malaria infections across Bentiu, Panyijiar, Mayom, Leer, Guit, Rubkona, Koch, and Mayendit counties.

According to Tot Jang, Acting Director General at the State Ministry of Health, this year’s infections represent a 30 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting the severity of the public health emergency.

“We have identified 13,639 malaria cases and 12 related deaths between July and October,” Jang confirmed. “The outbreak comes after the Ministry of Health and its partners failed to distribute mosquito nets to vulnerable communities, leaving many residents exposed.”

At Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, patients report worsening conditions due to limited access to medication and inadequate health facilities. Nyawal Michael, a malaria patient, described her experience: “Those are the beginning signs of malaria, and I experienced all of them. The problem is that there is insufficient medical assistance, and many people are suffering silently.”

Malaria remains one of South Sudan’s leading causes of illness and death, with an estimated 5.5 million cases and over 4,380 deaths annually, primarily affecting children under five and pregnant women. The disease accounts for approximately 52-66.8% of all outpatient consultations and 30-50% of mortality cases in the country.

WANI IGGA FOUNDATION: A Legacy of Service and Leadership

The Wani Igga Foundation, established to honor the vision and commitment of Vice President Professor Dr. James Wani Igga, stands as a beacon of hope for vulnerable communities in South Sudan. Vice President Igga has been a consistent advocate for health equity, humanitarian response, and community empowerment throughout his distinguished career in public service.

As Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, Vice President Igga has repeatedly emphasized the importance of multisectoral partnerships and grassroots development. In July 2024, he stated:

“Cooperatives thrive in every part of the economy. In agriculture, energy, information technology, housing, health, and finance. For cooperatives to be effective, gender equality must be accomplished to ensure that women have equal rights by empowering women and girls.”

The Foundation builds upon this legacy of inclusive development, focusing on health equity, education, economic empowerment, and social transformation in underserved communities across South Sudan.

Comprehensive Solution: The Wani Igga Foundation Malaria Intervention Program

The Foundation announces a multi-phase, evidence-based intervention strategy designed to address the immediate crisis while building long-term resilience in Unity State’s health system. The program integrates proven global best practices with community-centered approaches tailored to South Sudan’s unique context.

Phase 1: Emergency Response (Months 1-3)

Immediate Life-Saving Interventions

1. Mass Distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs)

Target: Universal coverage of 250,000 households across all eight affected counties

Distribution of next-generation insecticide-treated nets with enhanced efficacy

Priority allocation to vulnerable populations: pregnant women, children under five, and IDP communities

Estimated impact: 78% of global programs show that universal net coverage can reduce malaria burden by up to 68%

2.    Rapid Diagnostic Testing and Treatment Campaign

Deployment of 500 Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits to community health workers

Distribution of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to all health facilities

Mobile health clinics serving remote villages and IDP camps

Free testing and treatment for all suspected malaria cases

Target: Reach 100,000 individuals in the first three months

3.    Emergency Medical Supplies and Infrastructure Support

Restocking of essential antimalarial medicines in 55 health posts and 13 health centers

Provision of diagnostic equipment and medical supplies

Rehabilitation of non-functional health facilities

Cold chain establishment for vaccine and medicine storage

Phase 2: Community Empowerment and Prevention (Months 4-12)

Building Local Capacity and Ownership

1. Community Health Worker Training and Deployment

Recruitment and training of 200 community health workers (CHWs) from local communities

Comprehensive training in malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Provision of diagnostic tools, medicines, and health education materials

Integration with South Sudan’s Boma Health Initiative framework

Monthly supervision and ongoing capacity building

2.    Community-Based Surveillance and Response System

Establishment of real-time electronic case reporting system

Implementation of “1-7” approach: all confirmed malaria cases reported within 24 hours, followed by rapid testing, health education, and treatment within seven days

Training of village health committees for early detection and response

Community-led monitoring of mosquito breeding sites

3.    Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC)

Mass media campaigns through local FM radio stations in local languages

Community drama and cultural performances on malaria prevention

School-based education programs reaching 100 schools

House-to-house health education by trained volunteers

Distribution of educational materials in Nuer, Dinka, and Arabic languages

4.    Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Campaign

Targeted spraying in high-transmission areas

Use of approved insecticides with community consent

Training of local spray operators

Coverage of 50,000 households in priority zones

Phase 3: Sustainable Health System Strengthening (Year 2-3)

Building Resilience for the Future

1. Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Scale-Up

Partnership with Ministry of Health for R21/Matrix-M vaccine rollout

Target: 50,000 children aged 5-23 months

Integration with routine immunization programs

Community mobilization for vaccine acceptance

Evidence shows vaccines can reduce child deaths from all causes by 13% in high-burden areas

2.    Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Program

Implementation in high-transmission counties

Target: 78,000 children aged 3-59 months

Five SMC delivery cycles during peak transmission season

Research indicates SMC can reduce malaria mortality by 79% among children receiving the intervention

3.    Larval Source Management and Environmental Control

Community-led identification and elimination of mosquito breeding sites

Small-scale drainage and environmental modification

Use of larvicides in targeted areas

Integration with WASH programs

4.    Health Information System Strengthening

Digitalization of health records and disease surveillance

Real-time data collection and analysis

Evidence-based decision making for resource allocation

Performance monitoring and evaluation

5.    Integrated Service Delivery

Integration of malaria services with maternal and child health programs

Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) scale-up

Nutrition screening and referral

Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) for malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea

Phase 4: Policy Advocacy and Sustainability (Ongoing)

Ensuring Long-Term Impact

1. Multisectoral Partnerships

Collaboration with Ministry of Health, State Health Departments, and County Health Offices

Partnership with international organizations (WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Global Fund, MSF)

Engagement with local NGOs and community-based organizations

Private sector mobilization for resource generation

2.    Domestic Resource Mobilization

Advocacy for increased government health budget allocation

Development of sustainable financing mechanisms

Promotion of community health insurance schemes

Leveraging of South Sudan’s economic recovery for health investments

3.    Research and Innovation

Operational research on malaria transmission patterns in Unity State

Documentation of best practices and lessons learned

Innovation in service delivery models for conflict-affected areas

Monitoring of insecticide and drug resistance

4.    Policy Development and Implementation

Support for national malaria strategic plan implementation

Advocacy for malaria elimination roadmap

Integration with national health policies

Alignment with SDG 3.3 targets for malaria elimination

Alignment with Global and Regional Development Agendas

The Wani Igga Foundation Malaria Intervention Program directly contributes to multiple international commitments:

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030)

Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030

Global target: Reduce malaria case incidence by at least 90% by 2030

Global target: Reduce malaria mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030

Global target: Eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030

This program will contribute to South Sudan’s progress toward these ambitious but achievable goals, potentially reducing malaria burden in Unity State by 60-70% within three years based on similar interventions in Ethiopia and Tanzania.

African Union Agenda 2063

Aspiration 1: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development

Goal: Healthy and well-nourished citizens with adequate levels of investment to expand access to quality health care services

Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030:

Strategic direction: Strengthen health systems performance

Objective: Reduce priority diseases burden by 2030

Approach: Refocus service delivery and empower communities

AU Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030:

The program directly supports continental commitments to malaria elimination through coordinated, evidence-based interventions.

National Development Priorities

South Sudan Vision 2040 and National Development Strategy:

Priority: Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Goal: Reduce maternal and child mortality

Strategy: Strengthen primary health care and community health systems

Approach: Multisectoral collaboration for health determinants

Expected Impact and Outcomes

Based on evidence from similar programs in sub-Saharan Africa and WHO guidelines, the Wani Igga Foundation Malaria Intervention Program is expected to achieve:

Short-Term Impact (Year 1)

70-80% reduction in malaria cases in targeted communities

75% reduction in malaria-related deaths among children under five

85% coverage of households with insecticide-treated nets

50,000 people receiving early diagnosis and prompt treatment

200 community health workers trained and deployed

100 schools reached with health education programs

Medium-Term Impact (Years 2-3)

60-70% sustained reduction in overall malaria burden across Unity State

90% vaccine coverage among eligible children

Elimination of malaria deaths in 3-4 priority counties

Functional surveillance system with real-time reporting

Strengthened health facilities with improved capacity

Community ownership of malaria control interventions

Long-Term Impact (Years 4-5)

Pre-elimination status achieved in selected counties

Integrated community health system addressing multiple diseases

Sustainable financing mechanisms established

Model for replication in other states of South Sudan

Contribution to national malaria elimination goals

Economic and Social Benefits

Reduced household expenditure on malaria treatment

Increased productivity due to reduced illness

Improved school attendance and educational outcomes

Enhanced economic development in malaria-free communities

Strengthened community resilience and social cohesion

Budget and Resource Mobilization

The Foundation is committed to mobilizing resources through:

1. Foundation’s own resources: Seed funding for emergency response
2. Government partnership: Collaboration with Ministry of Health budget allocation
3. International donors: Engagement with Global Fund, Gavi, Gates Foundation, and bilateral donors
4. Private sector: Corporate social responsibility programs
5. Community contributions: In-kind support and volunteer efforts
6. Innovative financing: Impact bonds, health insurance schemes

Estimated Budget: $5-8 million over three years for comprehensive intervention covering 300,000+ people

Cost-Effectiveness: Estimated cost per death averted: $4,000-8,000, representing exceptional value compared to the economic and social cost of malaria deaths

Call to Action: Partnership for Impact

The Wani Igga Foundation invites all stakeholders to join this lifesaving initiative:

Government Agencies: Provide policy support, regulatory frameworks, and coordination

International Organizations: Contribute technical expertise, funding, and global best practices

Local NGOs and Community Organizations: Partner in implementation and community mobilization

Private Sector: Invest in health infrastructure and sustainable solutions Community Leaders: Champion behavior change and community ownership Health Workers: Deliver quality services with compassion and professionalism Citizens: Adopt preventive behaviors and support community health initiatives

Conclusion: A Vision of Health Equity and Human Dignity

The malaria crisis in Unity State is not merely a health emergency—it is a test of our collective commitment to human dignity, social justice, and the future of South Sudan. Every life lost to malaria is a tragedy that could have been prevented. Every child suffering from fever represents a family’s anguish and a community’s burden.

The Wani Igga Foundation’s Malaria Intervention Program offers hope grounded in evidence, compassion informed by science, and action guided by community wisdom. By combining proven

interventions with innovative approaches, by integrating emergency response with sustainable systems strengthening, and by centering communities as partners rather than beneficiaries, this program charts a path from crisis to resilience, from suffering to health, from despair to dignity.

This is more than a malaria program. It is an investment in South Sudan’s future. It is a commitment to the most vulnerable. It is a demonstration that with political will, adequate resources, community engagement, and coordinated action, we can overcome even the most daunting health challenges.

Together, we can build a South Sudan where no child dies from a preventable disease, where every community has access to quality health services, where mothers sleep peacefully knowing their children are protected, and where malaria becomes a distant memory rather than a daily threat.

The journey begins now. The time for action is today. The responsibility is ours.

About Wani Igga Foundation

The Wani Igga Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to social upliftment, health equity, education, and economic empowerment in the Republic of South Sudan. Inspired by the vision and leadership of Vice President Professor Dr. James Wani Igga, the Foundation works to bridge gaps in service delivery, empower marginalized communities, and contribute to South Sudan’s sustainable development in alignment with UN SDG 2030, African Union Agenda 2063, and national development priorities.

For Media Inquiries and Partnership Opportunities:

Wani Igga Foundation

Juba, Republic of South Sudan Email: info@waniigafoundation.org Phone: +91-960-2570-498

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