By Peter Kuol Kuch
Minister for Health in the Pibor Administrative Area, Achon John has called for provision of cholera vaccines to help combat and prevent further spread of cholera in the area.
According to the Minister, no cholera vaccine has ever been provided to mitigate cholera infections in the Pibor Administrative area.
In a statement to this publication, John noted that several cholera cases are still being reported in many outlying villages of Pibor.
“Well, Cholera is still….and the partners are doing their best now to help the residents from cholera. However, the issue of vaccines is a problem. We have been requesting National Ministry of Health and WHO to provide us with Cholera Vaccine,’’ he said.
Minister John expressed that the availability of the vaccine would help protect individuals from cholera and potentially reduce the number of cases in the area.
“I believe that when the Vaccine is provided, it will be able to protect those who haven’t not been affected by the Cholera and can also help us manage those who have already been affected,’’ he said.
John appealed to the national Ministry of Health and its partners to urgently provide cholera vaccines to help reduce the outbreaks.
He mentioned that there has been a relative reduction in cholera cases in Pibor town and Lilkuangelle, although there is still an influx of cases from more remote villages.
“Actually, when the cholera outbreak started, the situation was quite alarming but when the intervention was made by the partners, the situation is a bit improved now in Pibor compared to the previous months,’’ John Stated.
Despite the improvements, Hon. John continues to urge residents of Pibor to adhere to preventive measures against cholera, such as practising good hand hygiene and ensuring access to clean drinking water, among others.