TED Talks Daily The doctor on a mission to build a healthier South Sudan | Yohanis Riek
Feb 13, 2026
Yohanis Riek, a South Sudanese physician and social entrepreneur who founded YoCare to deliver primary care in remote communities. He recounts his journey from conflict to medicine. He discusses mobile clinics, community training that turns patients into providers, the impact of sudden funding cuts, and why health programs must be locally owned and aligned with national systems.
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From Child Soldier To Community Doctor
- Yohanis Riek went from herding cattle and being conscripted as a child soldier to becoming his community's first doctor. He founded YoCare while in his first year of medical school to fight preventable deaths he witnessed in his family.
Patients Trained Into Local Health Leaders
- YoCare trains patients and community members to become service providers and peer navigators. This transforms care recipients into local health leaders who extend services into hard-to-reach areas.
Mothers Teaching Mothers In Local Languages
- YoCare runs Mothers-to-Mothers support groups that educate parents in local languages about vaccination and hygiene. Trained mothers then spread key messages across their communities and reduce child illness.