JUBA, 28 January 2023 – The Ministry of Well being, the World Financial institution, WHO and UNICEF launched a COVID-19 vaccination marketing campaign at the moment, following the arrival of three.9 million vaccine doses into the nation. The Vice President for Service Cluster, His Excellency Hussein Abdelbagi Akol launched the marketing campaign and authorities officers and attendees obtained required vaccines and booster pictures to instill confidence and uptake by the final inhabitants.
Vaccination protection stays low in South Sudan and the country-wide marketing campaign goals to achieve the 70% goal. Groups of well being professionals and group mobilisers are working throughout 80 counties over the following 3 months to interact with leaders and communities to manage COVID-19 vaccines for all folks aged 18 and above, by way of the assist of World Financial institution financing enhancing the important well being techniques.
“These further assets will allow South Sudan to strengthen its well being system preparedness and assist tackle the pressing well being and diet wants, I name upon you to be a COVID-19 vaccine ambassador in your loved ones, group, church and work. The vaccine is secure and efficient for all folks inside South Sudan. Get vaccinated and inform your loved ones and buddies to get vaccinated too,” stated Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Well being, Republic of South Sudan.
Representing the World Financial institution Group, Nation Supervisor Firas Raad emphasised that “this extra financing and marketing campaign will assist the Authorities of South Sudan tackle challenges in each the procurement and deployment of vaccines throughout the nation. It’s going to additionally strengthen South Sudan’s illness surveillance techniques, laboratory capability, and total emergency preparedness on the nationwide and subnational ranges.”
“The supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the folks of South Sudan contributes to the equitable entry to vaccines that’s required to successfully reply to this pandemic,” stated Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Consultant for South Sudan.
The unprecedented floods in in addition to violence in some elements of the nation have additional hampered COVID-19 and common childhood vaccine deployment efforts in addition to entry to well being companies – rising dangers of social exclusion significantly of these dwelling in distant, battle, and flood-affected areas.
“Our distinctive partnership with the World Financial institution and the Ministry of Well being permits UNICEF to achieve girls and youngsters in a few of the hardest to achieve communities in South Sudan and supply vital entry to fundamental well being companies, and to make sure COVID-19 vaccination protection — enabling their proper to survival and well being,” stated Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF Consultant in South Sudan.
The arrival of the biggest batch of COVID-19 vaccines, and the vaccination marketing campaign is part of the extra financing of US$ 200 million from the World Financial institution, geared toward enhancing capability to answer COVID-19 and supply important well being service supply. First launched in 2021, the South Sudan COVID- 19 Emergency Response and Well being Programs Preparedness Venture has been supporting the nation to forestall, detect, and reply to the threats posed by COVID-19.
It has helped speed up vaccine deployment efforts throughout the nation and elevated entry to important well being companies in Higher Nile and Jonglei states and within the Higher Pibor Administrative Space. Moreover, the mission has been supporting the federal government’s stewardship of the well being sector and its preparedness techniques.
For extra data please contact:
World Financial institution: Lomoro A. John Sindani, +211 925 472 380, lsindani [at] worldbankgroup.org
UNICEF: James Maiden, +211912162888, jmaiden [at] unicef.org
WHO: Jemila M. Ebrahim, +211 921647859, ebrahimj [at] who.int
Ministry of Well being PMU: Maidodo Daniel: +211911555506