What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Verify requirements at your destination's embassy. Vaccination must be administered 10+ days before travel and is documented on a yellow International Certificate of Vaccination.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Healthcare system is severely degraded by ongoing conflict. Juba Teaching Hospital is the main facility but has extreme shortages. NGO-run clinics (MSF, ICRC) provide much of the functional healthcare. Outside Juba, healthcare is virtually nonexistent. Evacuation is essential for any serious condition.
Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ Very Limited
Healthcare quality is among the lowest in the world. Facilities lack basic supplies, reliable electricity, and qualified staff. English is the official language but many healthcare workers speak Arabic or local languages. All serious medical conditions require evacuation to Nairobi, Kenya.
South Sudan is not a medical tourism destination. The country has one of the weakest healthcare systems in the world. All specialist care requires evacuation to Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala, Uganda.
Where to actually go.
Main government hospital. Extremely basic facilities with chronic shortages. English and Arabic spoken. Use only as last resort — evacuation is preferred.
UN peacekeeping hospital. Access restricted to UN personnel but may assist in extreme emergencies. Best-equipped facility in the country.
Finding what you need.
Access: Limited
Hours: A few pharmacies in Juba open irregularly, approximately 8am-5pm. No reliable pharmacy access outside Juba.
Prescription rules: No meaningful prescription enforcement system exists. The challenge is finding any medication at all. Bring all needed medications with documentation.
Pharmacy access is extremely limited. Counterfeit and expired medications are a major concern. Bring ALL medications you could possibly need. NGO workers should ensure their organization provides medical supplies. English and Arabic may be spoken.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol (unreliable supply)
- oral rehydration salts
- basic antimalarials
- antiseptic solutions
Useful pharmacy phrases
- I need headache medicine
- I have a stomachache: أحتاج دواء للمعدة (ahtaj dawa' lilma'ida)
- I have allergies
- Where is the nearest pharmacy?: أين أقرب صيدلية؟ (ayn aqrab saydaliyya?)
- I need a doctor: أحتاج طبيب (ahtaj tabib)
Chains you'll see
- No reliable pharmacy chains — Small independent pharmacies in Juba (Juba only)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol
Most commonly found medication, but verify expiration dates and authenticity - ibuprofen → Ibuprofen
Unreliable availability. Bring from home. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Loperamide
Unlikely to be available. Bring from home.
What you can't bring in.
Carry extensive documentation for all medications in English and Arabic. Keep everything in original packaging. Bring far more than you think you will need — resupply is nearly impossible. Include a medical kit with first aid supplies.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Opioids
Carry a doctor's letter. Keep in original packaging. Security forces may inspect medications at checkpoints.
Carry comprehensive documentation. Authorities may question any medications.
If something breaks.
Availability: Extremely limited. Only the most basic dental care may be available in Juba.
Cost range: $10-50 for basic procedures if available
Dental care is virtually nonexistent. The few dentists practice in Juba with very basic equipment.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $80-150/week
Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation is absolutely essential. Many standard policies exclude South Sudan as a conflict zone — verify your policy explicitly covers it. Evacuation to Nairobi costs $20,000-80,000+. Consider specialized conflict-zone insurance providers.
Filing a claim
Obtain whatever receipts are available. Most facilities expect cash payment. Documentation standards are poor. Contact your insurance assistance line immediately for any significant medical issue. Evacuation authorization should be arranged as quickly as possible.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $10-40 |
| ER visit | $20-80 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $30-100 |
| Ambulance | Essentially unavailable |
Costs are low but reflect extremely basic care. USD is widely preferred. NGO clinics may provide free or subsidized care.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Secondary destination: Kampala, Uganda
Typical cost band: $20,000-80,000
Common providers: International SOS, Global Rescue, AMREF Flying Doctors
Medical evacuation is essential for any serious condition. AMREF Flying Doctors provides air ambulance services in East Africa. Security conditions may delay evacuation. Ensure your evacuation provider has experience operating in conflict zones.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal
- Rabies
- Cholera
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Routine vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is required. Malaria is endemic and prophylaxis is essential. Cholera outbreaks are common. Meningitis risk in dry season. Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled only — Water is unsafe everywhere in South Sudan. Use only bottled or thoroughly treated water. Avoid ice. Water purification tablets or filters are essential. Even in Juba hotels, verify water safety. Waterborne diseases including cholera are common.
Food safety
Eat only thoroughly cooked food served hot. Avoid all raw vegetables, salads, and unpeeled fruits. Street food carries high risk. UN and NGO compounds often have the safest food preparation. Bring emergency food supplies for travel outside Juba.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
English-speaking therapists: No civilian English-speaking therapists. Some NGOs provide trauma counseling.
Mental health services are virtually nonexistent for visitors. Some NGO workers have access to organizational mental health support. Consider telehealth services if internet connectivity allows.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
No accessibility infrastructure exists in South Sudan.
Hospital accessibility: Hospitals are not accessible for wheelchair users.
Accessible transport: No accessible transport. Roads are unpaved and impassable in rainy season.
South Sudan is extremely challenging for travelers with mobility limitations. Infrastructure is minimal even for able-bodied travelers. Travel with an organized group and assess whether the environment can support your needs.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No formal mask policy enforced.
Testing availability: Extremely limited COVID testing. Some availability in Juba.
COVID treatment capacity is negligible. Serious respiratory illness requires evacuation.
South Sudan travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- UK Foreign Office Travel Advice
- US State Department
- MSF/Doctors Without Borders