A marketing campaign aimed toward vaccinating over 300 000 folks in opposition to cholera has commenced within the hotspot county of Rubkona, Unity State in a significant step to curb the continued outbreak, bringing the overall variety of counties the place the vaccination marketing campaign has been performed nationwide to 4.
Rubkona County is likely one of the 31 hotspot areas experiencing cholera outbreak accounting for 50 p.c of reported instances. The South Sudan Ministry of Well being, with help from the World Well being Group (WHO), UNICEF, MSF and varied different companions has initiated this marketing campaign to guard weak populations from the extreme diarrheal illness.
To reinforce the response efforts, a high-level delegation led by H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol; Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan for Service Cluster visited Rubkona County in Unity State this week to watch the continued efforts to deal with the cholera outbreak and launch the vaccination marketing campaign.
Vice President Akol, throughout his keynote deal with on the launch of a cholera vaccination marketing campaign, emphasised the federal government’s dedication to completely fight the outbreak and guarantee efficient measures are applied to cease the unfold of the illness.
“We thank the Ministry of Well being and the companions for his or her unwavering dedication to curb the cholera outbreak” mentioned Vice President Akol “the roll out of the cholera vaccine nationwide is a part of the broader authorities efforts aimed toward combating the cholera outbreak and save lives.”
The launch ceremony was graced by a number of dignitaries, together with the Minister of Well being, Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the Governor of Unity State and representatives from varied UN companies such because the Humanitarian Coordinator’s Workplace, UN Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Well being Group (WHO), UNICEF, and different companions.
H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol underscored authorities efforts in delivering healthcare, clear water provision, and hygiene promotion in all of the affected places to curb the outbreak.
The Minister of Well being, Yolanda Awel Deng, known as on all well being sector stakeholders to boost their efforts and supply important help by well timed implementing efficient preventive measures below the management of the federal government.
“We prolong our heartfelt gratitude to our healthcare staff on the frontlines, who’re devoted to caring for cholera sufferers and curbing the transmission.” Mentioned Honorable Deng “The vaccine we’re introducing in the present day is lifesaving, and I encourage the neighborhood to get vaccinated and cling to all precautionary measures to reduce the chance of contracting cholera.”
Dr Jetri Regmi, Technical Officer for Well being Experience and Operations and the WHO OIC echoed related sentiments, “The continued humanitarian crises together with flooding and cholera outbreaks in South Sudan has positioned an enormous burden on the well being system and all stakeholders ought to stay steadfast of their efforts to handle the outbreak, “the oral cholera vaccination campaigns function a protecting measure for weak populations, it is likely one of the instruments in our well being interventions software bins that may pave method for sustainable well being end result.”
South Sudan declared cholera outbreak in October 2024. As of seven January 2025, greater than 17 581 instances have been reported nationwide, with a case fatality charge of 1.5%.
With help from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, over 1.3 million doses of vaccines have been secured to deal with the cholera outbreak in hotspots nationwide. The vaccination marketing campaign in Juba began on 8 January and can run for seven days.