MSF opens new Cholera treatment centre in Juba

July 11, 2015 (JUBA) -. The international medical charity, Medicines San Frontiers (MSF) said Friday that is had opened of a cholera treatment centre in Munuki, a suburb in the South Sudanese capital to tackle the outbreak of the deadly diseases.

This comes weeks after the health ministry declared a cholera outbreak in the country.

Recently, international health organisations said there has been serious threat of cholera in South Sudan, warning the disease could spread like wildfire this rainy season unless measures were taken to curb it.

Paul Critchley, MSF’s head of office, said his organisation was working with the health ministry to establish facilities that will provide the most require needed medical services.

He said the medical charity employed over 130 South Sudanese to construct the site.

According to the health ministry, the number of cholera cases in Juba has reached 733 with 33 deaths so far recorded. Over 60 cases were reportedly registered in Jonglei state.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has urged the donor community to avail funds needed for the provision of health services in the country, saying there was an urgent need for 4.6 million dollars to fund an emergency cholera response for six months.

(ST)