Inspiration of hope: the turnaround at Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital
How a previously under-resourced hospital in Lakes State became a shining example of care and resilience through the Health Sector Transformation Project
Once a facility struggling to fulfil its promise, Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital in Lakes State has become a powerful symbol of renewed hope. Generously donated by the Chinese government in 2012, the hospital was envisioned as a vital centre for women and children's health.
Yet for years, it was hampered by medicine shortages and unpaid staff, leaving it unable to truly serve the community. Today, the hospital is a lifeline for thousands of women, its halls bustling with activity and a renewed sense of purpose.
This remarkable transformation began when the facility was enrolled in the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) — a government-led initiative launched in July 2024 to revitalize South Sudan’s healthcare system. Funded through a World Bank managed Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and an IDA grant, the three-year project aims to expand access to essential health and nutrition services, strengthen health system governance, and improve overall sector performance.
Opened in 2014, this hospital has long served as a vital health centre for women and children in Rumbek County and beyond, reaching over 20,000 people. For many years, it relied only on limited support from the National Ministry of Health. Healthcare workers left for greener pastures due to underpayment, and the facility lacked the essential resources needed to serve patients.
Machot Jokrial Kuur, the hospital's Acting Patron, described the change.
When we joined the HSTP program, we started receiving regular medical supplies and our staff were paid incentives. This has motivated our team and significantly improved our services.
In just four months, this support led to over 6,000 consultations and only one death, a testament to the project’s impact.
The hospital, with 22 departments, serves around 300 to 500 patients daily, treating a wide range of illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), typhoid, and bacillus infections.
For people like Mary Ayen, a 28-year-old mother of six, the improved care was life-saving.
I was unconscious and in pain. The doctors told me I had pneumonia. Without this facility, I’m not sure I would have survived.
Her story is echoed by Darfur Paul Mayor Dut, an 18-year-old student who almost gave up on life due to severe malaria.
I had almost given up on life, but here I am, walking again. I feel like I have a second chance.”
While the HSTP has brought incredible progress, the hospital still faces significant challenges. These include delayed incentives for staff, missing hormonal tests, drug stockouts, and limited local funding from both the national and state governments. Addressing these issues is crucial to sustaining the life-saving work and building long-term resilience.
Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when healthcare systems are strengthened. Supported by the Ministry of Health and managed by UNICEF’s implementing partner, Collegio Universitario Aspiranti Medici Missionari (CUAMM), the hospital is now saving lives, restoring hope, and ensuring that women and children receive the essential care they deserve.
In its first year, the HSTP supported 816 health facilities and over 6,900 Boma Health Workers (BHW). It also treated nearly 3 million suspected malaria cases, introduced new childhood vaccines, and motivated more than 23,000 health workers with performance-based incentives.
The project is generously funded by a consortium of global partners: the World Bank, Global Affairs Canada, the Global Fund, Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), and the European Union (EU).
