A Malaria-Free South Sudan: Will the Youth Make it a Reality?

Earlier this month, I traveled to South Sudan, a country that continues to face an uphill battle against malaria. Despite the immense efforts made over the years, malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases here. According to reports, malaria accounts for 66.8% of all outpatient consultations, 30% of hospital admissions, and nearly 50% of deaths. The Malaria Indicator Survey of 2017 revealed that the prevalence of the disease remains as high as 32%, with children in rural areas being the most affected. This is largely due to Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest species of malaria parasite, which causes more than 93% of infections in the country.

During my visit, I had the privilege of working with a group of 40 passionate youth champions, training them on leadership, data-driven advocacy using scorecard tools, and digital tools for malaria advocacy. We discussed how they could leverage social media platforms to spread awareness and how real-time data can be a powerful tool for holding policymakers accountable. As someone who has been involved in training youth, ministry professionals, and parliamentarians across Africa for years, this trip gave me a moment to reflect on the immense challenges South Sudan faces in its fight against malaria—and whether the youth can help turn the tide.

The "Perfect Storm" of Challenges

South Sudan is currently grappling with a perfect storm of issues that are exacerbating the malaria crisis. Climate change is a huge part of this equation. Since 2018, the country has been hit by severe droughts in some areas and extreme flooding in others. A local malaria expert I spoke with expressed his deep concern about these changing weather patterns, telling me, “We used to have dry seasons, times when we knew and expected less malaria. But now, we experience high numbers of cases throughout the year.” This shift has made it incredibly difficult for health officials to implement essential interventions like Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), which targets mosquitoes at specific times during the malaria season. Now, that season seems never-ending.

Adding to this challenge are financing constraints. The government currently provides only approximately 1% of the funds needed for its malaria programs despite the commitments made under Zero Malaria Starts With Me, relying heavily on a single major donor, the Global Fund. While partners like ALMA are stepping in to support key issues like data collection and accountability, the country still faces a significant funding gap that threatens the sustainability of its malaria programs. Furthermore, partial resistance to some antimalarial drugs has been observed, posing yet another serious threat. The country’s surveillance capacity is not strong enough to track these issues effectively hence need for support from experts and development partners.

Can the Youth Make a Difference? 

Despite all challenges, I am optimistic. My visit was not just about the challenges; it was also about solutions and hope. I had the honor of witnessing the launch of the South Sudan Malaria Youth Champions—a group of energetic, innovative young people ready to lead the charge. I encouraged them to think critically and creatively, to move beyond traditional approaches, and to push for integration and collaboration across sectors.

One of my key messages to these youth leaders was the importance of community engagement. Malaria doesn’t just affect those in towns—it disproportionately impacts people in rural areas where access to healthcare and preventive measures like mosquito nets are limited. I urged the youth to expand their advocacy and interventions beyond the urban centers and into the more rural, malaria-endemic regions. If they can do this, they will be taking a bold step toward making a malaria-free South Sudan a reality.

 Recommendations for a Malaria-Free South Sudan

Strengthen Real-Time Data: One of the most critical actions is improving real-time data collection and surveillance systems. By using scorecard tools to monitor malaria cases and resources, ministry of health and partners can make more informed, timely decisions. This will also help ensure that the limited resources available are being distributed equitably and used effectively.

Multisectoral Collaboration: Malaria is not just a health issue; it’s also deeply intertwined with other sectors like agriculture, environment, and education. We need to work across sectors to address the root causes of malaria, including climate change and poverty, while ensuring sustainable solutions.

Community Engagement: The key to successful malaria control lies in engaging local communities. By involving them in malaria prevention strategies and making them aware of the risks, we can create a more robust and sustainable response. Empowering local leaders, especially in rural areas, will be crucial in achieving this goal.

Youth Leadership in Action: The youth in South Sudan have the energy and the passion to lead the fight against malaria, but they must be given the tools and the platform to do so. We need to continue supporting youth-led initiatives and ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to lead impactful, data-driven advocacy campaigns. They must also be encouraged to innovate, using technology and digital platforms to amplify their voices.

Integration with Community health workers: Through initiatives like Boma Health Initiative(BHI) in South Sudan, the youth can be engaged and play a significant role in addressing infectious diseases not only malaria but also Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), Non-Communicable Diseases and emergencies during extreme weather events and crises in the country.

Moving Forward 

My time in South Sudan left me with a renewed sense of optimism. Yes, the challenges are immense, but the youth of South Sudan are more than capable of rising to the occasion. By focusing on innovation, data-driven decision-making, and multisectoral collaboration, I believe the youth can help drive the country toward a future where malaria is no longer a leading cause of illness and death.

The road to a malaria-free South Sudan is long and fraught with challenges, but with the right support, leadership, and collaboration, it is a goal that can be achieved. And it’s the youth—those champions I had the pleasure of meeting and training—who hold the key to making this dream a reality.

Zero Malaria Starts with the Youth!