GLOBAL FUND GRANT CYCLE 7 The Republic of South Sudan (RSS) became an independent nation on July 9, 2011, following decades of civil war. Two years following independence, the country was plunged into a state of prolonged insecurity and economic challenges following internal political crisis in December 2013 and in July 2016.  A peace agreement was signed in 2018 and a transitional government was formed in early 2020.  This situation adversely affected the national health system and access to health services by the population.  
The health infrastructure is limited, the health system is understaffed due to variety of factors including the high attrition rate, inability of the government to pay health sector salaries on a regular basis, with several months in salary payments outstanding. The political and economic instability has resulted in persistent low national budgetary allocation to the health sector. These country context challenges have negative effects on population health, particularly vulnerability to epidemic diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria and on efforts to address and respond to these challenges. As a result, the Ministry of Health receives significant support from Humanitarian and Development partners to undertake its mandate. This situation is likely to continue in the foreseeable future. The Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) survey conducted in 2018 highlighted key gaps in health system performance and service delivery. According to the survey, the General and Specific Service Availability and Readiness Scores for most of the indicators were far below the WHO recommended minimum thresholds . 
South Sudan continues to be classified under the Global Fund as a challenging operating environment (COE) country, having the characteristics of both protracted emergency and chronic instability according to this definition.  Therefore, the country shall continue to be supported by the GF. 
Like other countries, the situation with response to COVID-19 pandemic has evolved. The focus is shifting to strengthening systems for health and pandemic preparedness, while continuing to implement measures to prevent the spread of the disease. COVID-19 response had significant knock-on effects on HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria programs, as such mitigation of the effects and putting in place recovery measures also remains a priority for the country. 
Effective and timely response to current and future pandemic necessitates that the country strengthens its system for health. Therefore, the country welcomes the GF Board decision on C19RM funding remaining flexible so that as COVID-19 evolves, resources can be directed to emerging priority areas including “towards longer-term investments in health systems’ infrastructure and capacities for pandemic preparedness and response”. South Sudan shall leverage on the GF fund to continue building its system for health so that its resilient and in 
position to effectively respond to pandemics while providing routine services including programs for Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS. 
The COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C10RM) grant continues to contribute to the robust response by South Sudan to COVID-19 pandemic. The investment so far has also helped in mitigating the risk posed by COVID-19 on HIV/TB/Malaria programmes. While the Global Fund resources have so far been instrumental in the response to COVID-19 pandemic, there remain critical gaps in both COVID-19 response and in pandemic preparedness and response by the country. -Targeted investments in strengthening supply chain systems 
Improved availability of commodities in the facilities
Improved coordination of HPM system
Rapid logistic response in case of an epidemic outbreak
Good waste disposal practices
Increased confidence in quality of products used in the country.
Reduced wastage of medical products
-Integrated laboratory systems and diagnostic networks 
Integrated laboratory system and diagnostic network that support the provision of quality HIV, TB, malaria and other diseases and emergencies    
-Health management Information System 
Consolidated reporting system that captures reliable (quality, timely and complete) information for program and policy decision making. 
Effective and fully functional electronic HMIS with CHIS integrated into DHIS2 
-Early warning surveillance and response systems 
Improved early warning surveillance and response systems that are able to respond to various types of alerts, diseases and events in a timely manner and supported by qualified human resources
-Community Health Workers (CHW) programming, including community-based/led organizations and HRH and Community Systems Strengthening 
CLM action plans developed and used for improving access to ATM services 
-Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
Strong IPC component of the health system and for Pandemic Preparedness Response
-Gender based violence
Reduce incidence of GBV and improved access to post GBV services 
-Medical Oxygen
Availability of medical oxygen supply in country that can be rapidly deployed when need arises
-Reducing human rights barriers
Increase legal literacy.
Increased capacity of CSOs on CRGs
Reduced human rights related barriers to access to ATM services The project is inclusive it will target both male and female,boys and girls also persons with disability.The project targets patients Tested Positive for HIV and Screened and confirmed TB positive..longitudinal following patients on ART and those on TB treatment including MDR TB