LocationsFunded by the Global Fund, these investments target HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and RSSH programmes for 2027-2029.
South Sudan Starts Global Fund GC8 Grant-Making Process
August 25, 2026
Government, the Global Fund, UNDP and other health partners during the launch of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) grant-making exercise
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Stakeholders across South Sudan’s health sector have started the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) grant-making exercise – a key step toward securing and operationalizing US$131.4 million in investments for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, and Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) programmes for the period 2027-2029.
The nine-day exercise, convened by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) brings together the Global Fund Country Team, senior Government officials, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, networks of people living with and affected by the three diseases, technical experts and health partners.
The grant-making takes place at a pivotal time when global health financing faces severe constraints, making rigorous prioritization, integrated service delivery, and enhanced domestic resource mobilization essential components of national health planning. During grant making, delegates will finalize targets and budgets, resolve remaining technical details, and ensure the final portfolio is ready for implementation.
Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr. Francis Oromo speaks to participants on prioritizing evidence-based grant-making, advancing national health sovereignty, and ensuring maximum impact for vulnerable populations.
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Making domestic health funding a reality
Mr. Job Muriuki, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund, emphasized that constrained resources demand greater efficiency: “Resources for global health are declining while needs continue to grow. This means we must prioritize rigorously, integrate services, improve efficiency, and ensure every dollar delivers maximum value to the people of South Sudan,” he said.
He emphasized the need for nations to boost domestic health budgets and meet co-financing pledges, maximizing the impact of catalytic support from the Global Fund and international partners. "Governments must progressively lead the financing and sustainability of their health systems. Sustainable health security requires strong national ownership," Mr. Muriuki noted.
Global Fund Senior Fund Portfolio Manager Job Muriuki addresses stakeholders on maximizing resource efficiency, fulfilling co-financing commitments, and strengthening national ownership for sustainable health security in South Sudan.
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Aligning with national health strategies
Opening the session, Dr. Francis Oromo, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health highlighted the need for strategic alignment and increased national ownership over public health financing:
“Grant-making requires our focused attention, backed by facts and science. It is an opportunity to review and identify priorities that are aligned with our national strategies. External financing alone cannot sustain our services—we must look toward health sovereignty. We have advocated tirelessly and we expect progress in national health budget allocations, but we must continue to ensure every dollar delivers maximum impact for our most vulnerable populations,” Dr. Oromo said.
Give and take: High-level government and United Nations officials join health partners during the grant-making exercise.
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Dr. Justin Kawac Kawac, Chairperson of the South Sudan AIDS Commission, urged stakeholders to leverage regional capabilities and invest in localized systems:
“We must use aid better so that we can eventually stop depending on it. Procurement of commodities consumes over half our budgets—we should look locally and regionally to strengthen our own capacities. The health system must be organized around the patient, not structured around isolated programs or budgets. GC8 offers us a vital bridge to unify our entire health sector.”
CCM Chairperson Dr. Jane Alphonse addresses partners during the grant-making exercise, stressing the key role of the CCM and urging maximum collaboration.
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Building on Decades of Partnership
Dr. Mohamed Abchir, UNDP Resident Representative for South Sudan noted that the GC8 process builds on infrastructure and systems established through long-standing collaboration between the Government of South Sudan, UNDP and other partners since 2004,
“In the past one month alone, we inaugurated the Aweil Regional Reference Laboratory with solar system, medical incinerator as well as the Dry Medical Commodities Storage Facility at Gumbo, expanding national storage capacity by 1,400 metric tons. These investments demonstrate that GC8 is not starting from scratch, but building on hard-won successes,” said Dr. Mohamed Abchir stated.
Dr. Mohamed Abchir, UNDP Resident Representative. UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund and the Government of South Sudan spans over two decades, delivering essential health services and saving lives.
UNDP South Sudan/Michael Mubangizi
Addressing Key Operational Priorities
During the nine-day grant-making exercise, working groups will address operational bottlenecks—including supply chain efficiencies, primary health care integration, community-led monitoring, and expanding health coverage beyond the current facilities. As participants begin technical negotiations, the consensus remains focused: turning strategic funding allocations into an agile, patient-centered health system capable of safeguarding South Sudan's future.