By Alex Digi
As the 11th Anniversary of South Sudan Independence was marked on Saturday 9th July 2022, the Governor of Western Equatoria State Alfred Futuyo Karaba commemorated the day by visiting the patients at Yambio main hospital and delivered some essential items to the sick.
Last week Government Spokespersons Michael Makuei announced that the government is not going to have official celebration of the 11th Anniversary Independence for the year year due to lack of funds.
9th July of every year is always marked as the day of East African youngest Nation, South Sudan attained its independence from the then Republic of the Sudan.
Although there was no official celebration at the national government, Western Equatoria State organized was among the many States who managed to stage its celebration with the visit to State Mainly referral Hospital.
Addressing a cheerful gathering on marking July 9 celebration of the 11 anniversary of the country’s independence, the Governor of Western Equatoria State said all the time people celebration day at the freedom square with much decorations and soft drinks but forget those in need like sick persons, in their hospital beds.
Governor Alfred Futuyo took a different gesture to mark the day by giving out Soaps, Sugar, Salt and cleaning items among others to the needy and sick as they mark 11th anniversary in the State.
“Because all the time we celebrates as South Sudanese we decorate the shelter with colours and flowers in the freedom Square and bring soda ad other things, but we forget the sick people, they are also part of us South Sudanese, that is why we said this time we have to come and celebrate with them and say something little that is what brought us here in the Hospital” Said Futuyo
He said there were also need for organizations of the government of South Sudan especially the organized forces.
“Our right as South Sudanese we got is for us to work with our hand and develop it, because there is no one who will come outside to develop it, we know there are very many challenges and we are the causers” Futuyo stressed .
“I as a Governor together with Maj. Gen. Akec (SSPDF Division Commander WES) we fought together with him, but am using V8 and he is footing, it’s that organization? There must be order if I as Governor have V8 let him have good Land cruiser and the rest of soldiers to have bikes, that is what we lead us to development” Futuyo emphasised.
Meanwhile the Minister of Health James Abdullah lauded the initiative carried out by the State government to visit the hospital and contributed for the sick people.
“Hon. Governor we are very happy for the day of today specially the Ministry of Health with your visit to Yambio State Hospital it is very impressive and am sure t is the first time for some officers who came with to reach this Hospital so today is very big day for us” said Abdullah.
Simon Mandiriwa a patient in Yambio hospital appreciated the visit of the government and appeal to them to support the Hospital with drugs.
“We are suffering now no food even drugs and we buy them in the clinic, since yesterday we are suffering no food we don’t eat, but now with what we heard that the Governor had given us Sugar then it’s good because every morning we shall have tea to get power so we are really suffering here in the Hospital” he said.