IGAD hands mobile laboratory, quarantine facility to South Sudan government

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has handed a mobile laboratory, screening, and quarantine facilities to the Ministry of Health in South Sudan.

According to IGAD, the facilities will support the country in the cross-border areas of Nimule and Wounthou areas.

They include one mobile truck, two constructed health facilities, one in Nimule and one in Wounthou and two vehicles.

The handed health facilities are a donation from the IGAD and development partners including the United Nations, as part of the Regional Response Strategy for Pandemics.

It was a result of meetings between Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health and Finance in March 2020.

IGAD executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said it is aimed at reaching cross-border communities including migrants, refugees and mobile populations.

He said these populations have limited access to essential health services and emergency management.

“Our aim is to strengthen the healthcare system in the IGAD region, particularly for marginalised communities residing in cross-border areas.

“I would like to reiterate the IGAD's commitment to work with member states to coordinate the response in the region and also mobilise necessary financial and technical support to mitigate the health and socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic among vulnerable populations in the region,” Dr Gebeyehu said.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which managed the project said the facilities will also help improve healthcare for the communities ordering area between South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

It said part of the project's objective is to strengthen healthcare systems in the IGAD region.

The South Sudanese Minister of Health, Yolanda Deng said the facilities would not only look after the communities in the regions but also the entire country.

She said that they would also help South Sudan fight diseases and stop outbreaks.

"When there are health emergencies, it's very important to have good places to go for help. The new mobile labs we are starting today have the latest technology to quickly find diseases. This is very good news because it means we can find diseases faster, react quicker, and save lives," Deng said.

"This help means a lot for the health of people in South Sudan."

The minister added that the facilities are a testament to their commitment to keeping their communities healthy.