By Yiep Joseph
Central Equatoria governor has formed Cholera High-level Committee as cases increase across the country.
In a gubernatorial order, read on the state-owned television SSBC, Augustino Jadalla Kamilo, tasked his deputy to head the team which includes other members and ministers.
The 13-member State Cholera Outbreak Response Oversight High-level Committee, as per the order, is headed by the Deputy Governor and deputized by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
According to the order, the State Ministry of Health becomes the secretary of the group, while the rest of the ministers, as well as the mayor of Juba City Council, are members.
The Terms of Reference of the committee, include, advocating with the National Government and donors to embrace support for cholera response efforts, strengthening the functioning of the multi-sectoral State Cholera Taskforce, and promoting effective production of the technical working groups.
The committee is also tasked with mobilizing resources for the swift procurement and distribution of essential cholera supplies, equipment, and transport to avert potential shortages; overseeing equitable distribution of cholera treatment facilities in affected areas to ensure timely access to care and treatment for impacted populations; among other things.
Last week the CES-State minister of health confirmed 169 cases of cholera with 9 deaths in Juba County. This came after the declaration of a cholera outbreak in the country.
South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in the country on Oct 28, 2024. The declaration came after reports of 44 suspected cholera cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases on Oct. 23 in Renk, Upper Nile State.
National Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel, assured the public that the government is committed to stopping the spread of the bacterial disease.
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people.
Modern sewage and water treatment have virtually eliminated cholera in industrialized countries. But cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti.
The risk of a cholera epidemic is highest when poverty, war, or natural disasters force people to live in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation.
Cholera is easily treated. Death from severe dehydration can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution.
On separate engagement, Governor Augustino Jadalla directed relevant state institutions to intensify efforts to contain the outbreak. He called for collaborative work and assured full support for the response activities.
To strengthen the state’s response, Governor Jadalla met with Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi to discuss strategies for curbing the spread of cholera across CES and other regions.
A joint meeting with Juba City Council and the State Ministry of Health was convened to coordinate efforts and prioritize public health measures.