By Lodu William Odiya
At least six hundred displaced persons have benefited from a two day medical outreach conducted by blue helmet Rwanda peacekeepers in Upper Nile region.
In a press release, Captain Jacques Nishimwe, said the medical peacekeeping team stepped in, due to aid funding cut that caused shortage of healthcare for the displaced community.
“So, we decided doing such medical camps. It can help bridge the gap somewhat” she said.
“For conflict-affected communities who have had to flee their homes and are sheltering in the PoC site, this means that they have to undertake a nearly six kilometres walk to medical facilities in Malakal town, something which becomes virtually impossible during the rainy season,” Nishimwe explained.
However, Nishimwe noted that the site is congested and displaced persons, particularly children, get easily exposed to infections.
“Many of them suffers from diabetes and hypertension” said Captain Nishimwe, Medical peacekeeper.
She further added that six medical peacekeepers who attended to women, men and children in the area, made sure that while challenges remain, the two-day intervention gives hope to people who need it the most.
“As a peacekeeper, there are times when you have to go beyond the mandate to protect civilians. It’s not merely about patrolling and preventing conflict, but its also about building trust with the communities we are here to serve,” concluded Captain Nishimwe.
Chamisa John, a displaced persons residing in the United Nations Protection of Civilians (PoC) site adjacent to the UN Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) base said she has been looking for the right treatment for her three years old daughter who was suffering from body pain for several times but hasn’t receive the right treatment.
“When I heard that peacekeepers from Rwanda are running a free medical camp, I immediately brought my daughter here,” she said.
Meanwhile, Andrew Nyikang, a PoC site resident said the two-day medical outreach conducted by the Blue Helmets from Rwanda have had at least some relief for those who need it the most.
“I have had a stomach problem for a long time. It is difficult for me to get treated because I don’t have a regular income. But this medical camp by our friends from Rwanda is free of charge. The doctor provided me with the medicines I need and also educated me on aftercare,” he said.