By Mary Poni
The national Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel Deng has warned the airline agencies operating in the country not to call for a negative Covid-19 PCR test when the traveler is fully vaccinated.
The minister made this call during the launch of the second round of the Covid-19 jab at Pyramid Hotel in Juba last Saturday.
“People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are not required to produce PCR test at the airport whether traveling or entering the country” she announced.
“The Covid-19 Taskforce relieved some restrictions last year. If you are fully vaccinated, the Ministry of Health and the Covid-19 taskforce led by the vice president Hussein Abdelbagi Akol do not require negative PCR test for entering the country unless your final destination detects so,” she stressed.
“Since last year, we made a press statement and until now we are still getting complaints that people coming to the country or leaving the country are still asked to produce negative PCR test by some traveling airline agencies, yet it is not required anymore,” Awel asserts.
She said as long as anyone is fully vaccinated and have got prove of the vaccination record, he or she is not required to produce any PCR test.
Furthermore, Yolanda urged the health workers in the country, including the public to be alert about the counterfeit drugs that are given locally in the community.
“I am urging the health providers in the nation to be alert. I am also urging the public to be alert about the counterfeit drugs that are being given locally in the communities,” Awel Deng underscored.
“Those drugs whose whereabouts are not clear are the problem to our body system. It is harming to the public,” she insists.
The minister called on the masses to go to the health service facilities even if they have got the limited resources – saying South Sudan has qualified and skilled doctors that will attend to patients.
Yolanda also revealed that South Sudan will have vaccination for hepatitis B soon. She urged people to take care of themselves by knowing their health status.
“We have got some endemic disease like hepatitis B and C, HIV, TB plus other diseases in the country. And whenever possible, get tested such that you would know what ailment you are dealing with. Take the advantage of the Covid-19 vaccination” she said.
“Most of our communities especially in the rural areas are battling sicknesses they do not know because they simply don’t know their status. You need to know Your HIV and hepatitis B status,” she urged.