WHO donates more than $600,000 for new maternity ward at Torit hospital
By Ijoo Bosco
June 6, 2014 (TORIT) – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated more than $600,000 for construction of a new maternity ward at Eastern Equatoria state’s Torit referral hospital.
Itto said the request to WHO was made due to the deteriorating facilities at the existing maternity ward.
The new ward will include a surgical theatre, as well as antenatal and post natal care services.
The minister revealed that the Netherlands-based Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development Aid (Cordaid) had also pledged a further $200,000 to construct a nurses training school to assist in health care training and capacity building across the state’s eight counties.
Cordaid plans to construct three classrooms, a store, library and staff accommodation.
Meanwhile, Itto said WHO had dispatched a team from the national capital, Juba, to assess maternity needs on the ground.
The minister said WHO had proposed recruiting of six qualified nurses and more doctors.
WHO recently completed a report on the administration and management of health care facilities in the state, with the aim of improving and strengthening service delivery.
Dr Suzi Francis Paul, a WHO medical officer, said similar assessments were also done on health care services in Wau, Malakal, Yambio, Bor and Juba.
(ST)