The Lakes State Caretaker Minister of Health, Dr. Makur Matur Koriom, has acknowledged the persistent challenges facing the health sector in South Sudan. He made the remarks on Monday, November 9, 2026, while officially launching the five-day national qualifying examinations at Rumbek Health Science Institute. Dr. Koriom stated that the government is working to improve access to adequate, affordable, and satisfactory healthcare services. The examinations involve 114 health science students who are enrolled in four health training programmes at the institute.
The Rumbek Health Science Institute is one of 33 health science institutions participating in the nationwide assessment across South Sudan. The students are enrolled in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, and Laboratory Technology programmes. Dr. Koriom wished the candidates success and urged them to maintain honesty, discipline, and professionalism throughout the examination period. He cautioned students against examination malpractice, warning that dishonesty among healthcare professionals could put patients' lives at risk and undermine the country's health system.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Marko Marjan, said the examinations were designed to assess the knowledge and practical skills students had acquired during their three years of training. He stated that national examiners from the Ministry of Health had been deployed to supervise the exercise and ensure that the examinations were conducted in accordance with the required standards. The examinations are being conducted simultaneously at 33 health science institutions across the country.
A total of 114 candidates are participating in the examinations, comprising 107 finalists and seven students sitting supplementary examinations. The Chief Invigilator, Iwa Martin Francis, is overseeing the exercise. The Acting Principal of Rumbek Health Science Institute, Khaman Akech Matot, urged candidates to approach the examinations with confidence, discipline, respect, and professionalism.
The Rumbek Health Science Institute currently offers training in Midwifery, Nursing, Laboratory Technology, and Clinical Medicine. The institute has also been approved to introduce pharmaceutical studies this year. Matot encouraged parents and communities in Lakes State and other parts of South Sudan to enrol their children at the institution, describing it as an important centre for producing skilled healthcare workers for the country.
However, Matot raised concerns over financial and infrastructure challenges affecting the institution. He stated that many students had struggled to pay their tuition fees due to the country's difficult economic situation. The institute is also facing deteriorating student dormitories, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources to maintain its facilities.
The five-day examinations are scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 13, 2026. The Acting Principal appealed to development partners supporting health programmes in Lakes State to visit the institution, assess its needs, and provide the necessary assistance. He further called on the state and national ministries of health to strengthen supervision and support efforts to address the challenges facing the institute.
Key points
- Dr. Makur Matur Koriom acknowledges persistent healthcare challenges in South Sudan's Lakes State.
- 114 health science students begin final exams in Rumbek.
- Rumbek Health Science Institute faces financial and infrastructure challenges.
