South Sudan pledges commitment to providing basic health services

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The regional government of southern Sudan on Friday pledged commitment to providing affordable basic health services, saying it intends to make health care delivery accessible to rural areas in the region.

Dr. Olivia Lomoro, undersecretary in the ministry of health, said that government considers the citizen as the most important resources of the country. He further added that the regional government has embarked on formulating sound policies to improve health care service in the semi-autonomous region.

“Despite many challenges facing the government of southern Sudan, especially in term of financial support to accelerate implementation of the developmental projects, the ministry of health remains very much committed to improve health care services in the region,” Lomoro said.

“Extension of health service is not only one of the top priorities of the ministry but translate into the actual fulfillment of the government plan to promote growth of healthy population,” the undersecretary said.

She called on the people to mobilize resources and initiate self-help projects to complement government’s development efforts, urging government officials in the area to seek the welfare of the people.

“We as public servants must respond to the needs of the poor and underprivileged and support farmers, whose toil and sweat ensure food security for the region”.

The official further called on individual health practitioners, especially those with private institutions and organizations to initiate initiative supplementary to government’s commitment to promoting health for regional development. Commending contributions being made by international organizations towards the provision of the health services in the area, she appealed to the people to support government to develop the area.

The senior health official also revealed donation and reception of eight (8) tons of medicine from the Egyptian Consulate General in Juba. “The government of Egypt through its consulate General here in reference to Juba has donated eight tons of various medicines to the ministry on Thursday. We have received and sincerely thank the government of Egypt for such donation which coincided with the time our health centers in most states needs medical supplies,” said Dr. Lomoro.

Lauding Egyptian government support for the ministry in the provision of quality and readily-available medical services in the region, the official further described donation to have come at what she termed an opportune time when most medical facilities in the region are lacking sufficient drugs.

While the donation was specifically meant for hospitals in the regional capital of Juba, she revealed that more medical supplies are being expected and will be dispatched to a number of other Southern Sudan states.

He also explained that this donation was just a kind gesture aimed at cementing the amiable relations between the two countries as well as the counterpart ministries. The Egyptian donation followed receipt and the official opening of the five (5) TB laboratories donated by USAID to the ministry on Thursday in Kator Payam, Juba.

In her statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday, the undersecretary commended the USAID as well as the minister for Health in Central Equatoria State (CES) for their support and renovation of the medical centers as well as provision of the financial assistance for healthcare centers to improve their services in an effort to reduce congestion at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease like HIV/AIDS and people need to be aware of its management. She said that the same message should be propagated to the rural areas as well, explained Dr. Lomoro, adding her ministry is working with the CES ministry of Health to ensure that health services reach all the people readily and affordably.

(ST)