By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Health, Dr. Harriet Pasquale has commended the Chinese government for its continued efforts in improving healthcare services in South Sudan.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of the Juba Teaching Hospital modernization and expansion project, Dr. Pasquale highlighted China’s contributions under the China-South Sudan Cooperation Agreement signed 13 years ago which include, Construction of a maternity hospital in Rumbek, Provision of medical equipment and medicines since 2012 and deployment of 11 batches of medical personnel currently supporting Juba Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Pasquale emphasized the challenges faced by healthcare workers and urged the government and partners to provide the necessary support for effective service delivery.
“We need to see our medical team motivated; it is through motivation it will complete the cycle of health service delivery,” she said.
Minister of Interior, Angelina Teng, acknowledged the dilapidated state of many healthcare facilities, including Juba Teaching Hospital, one of the oldest built during colonial times.
“Our health experts have been working and delivering life-saving services under difficult circumstances in old structures and equipment,” Minister Teng said.
She commended the improvements in the Emergency Unit since the first phase of the Juba Teaching Hospital project’s completion. However, she urged China to extend support to military hospitals, particularly the forensic department crucial for law enforcement.
“We often use Juba Teaching Hospital here for forensics and we thank the government of China for the support,” Minister Teng concluded.