By Alan Clement
World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to support the government to contain cholera outbreak in Abyei Administrative Area.
This was during a meeting between Abyei Administrative Area Minister of Health, Dr. Ayom Korchek Ayom and WHO Coordinator for States and Administrative Areas, Mr. Stephen Chol.
The discussions that followed growing health concerns in Abyei, also tackled the rising number of Sudanese refugees entering the area.
The minister briefed the delegation which also included WHO’s Logistics Manager Mr. Kasa on the deteriorating health situation, particularly in Ameit Market, where many refugees have settled, straining already limited resources.
“We presented the current health challenges in Abyei, especially the cholera outbreak and the influx of refugees,” said Dr. Ayom. “We also raised the issue of the cold chain breakdown at Abyei Civil Hospital and other facilities, which has compromised vaccine storage and delivery.”
In response, WHO officials pledged immediate intervention.
In a statement seen by this outlet, a team is scheduled to arrive in Abyei on Thursday, with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) specialists to follow on Saturday.
WHO also committed to supplying several refrigerators to restore the cold chain infrastructure, as well as dispatching one motorbike and three bicycles for field use by healthcare workers.
Furthermore, WHO will lease a vehicle for the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and send a technical team comprising a medical doctor, surveillance officer, WASH technician, social mobilizer, WHO representative, and lab technician.
Dr. Ayom also highlighted the rising number of Hepatitis E cases in the area and appealed for WHO’s collaboration to contain the disease.
WHO officials assured him they would analyze past case data and initiate a response.
The meeting was described as highly productive, signaling stronger coordination between local health authorities and WHO in tackling Abyei’s growing health emergencies.