South Sudan faces a rising influx of individuals with disabilities due to the conflict in Sudan, straining its limited healthcare resources. The Physical Rehabilitation Reference Centre in Juba, supported by the ICRC, is pivotal in providing prosthetics and rehabilitation to amputees like Ladu Jackson and Adam Ahamed Mohamed. The center also focuses on societal reintegration and supports sports initiatives for individuals with disabilities. South Sudan’s recent ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities paves the way for further support and legislation aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
South Sudan is currently facing a significant increase in the number of individuals with disabilities, primarily due to the influx of refugees from the protracted conflict in Sudan. This surge has created substantial pressure on South Sudan, which has only three specialized orthopedic facilities available to cater to the burgeoning needs of these patients. Many individuals, such as 23-year-old Ladu Jackson, who lost a leg in an accident, have found some solace through rehabilitation services, like those offered at the Physical Rehabilitation Reference Centre in Juba. Jackson, now a prominent amputee footballer, explains, “In 2021, I started learning how to play football with one limb,” highlighting the resilience of those facing significant physical challenges.
Others, like Adam Ahamed Mohamed, a refugee who suffered grave injuries in Sudan’s Darfur region, have also benefited from the prosthetic services at this center, which is supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has intensified the number of patients, with approximately 2,549 individuals reported receiving services from January to October of this year alone. Both Jackson and Mohamed represent the growing community of individuals with disabilities receiving support amidst a fragile healthcare framework recovering from South Sudan’s own civil war.
The ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by South Sudan in February 2023 demonstrates the nation’s commitment to improving the rights and societal reintegration of individuals with disabilities. James Ochan, a disability inclusion advisor at the center, emphasizes that the institution not only provides prosthetic devices but also facilitates social reintegration, offering individuals a pathway to reclaim their identity and purpose in society. The center’s emphasis on sports and economic initiatives aims to foster empowerment among persons living with disabilities.
Currently, South Sudan is working on enacting a disability act that is expected to further solidify the rights of persons with disabilities in the country, signaling a transformative step towards inclusivity and support for this vulnerable population.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, leading to a migration of refugees to South Sudan, particularly individuals with disabilities requiring urgent medical attention and rehabilitation. South Sudan is already grappling with its own challenges, including a fragile healthcare system that is still recovering from years of civil war. As such, the need for specialized care for amputees and other individuals with disabilities has become critical in light of the increasing numbers of refugees who are now seeking assistance.
In summary, the situation in South Sudan underscores the impact of regional conflicts on vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities. The Physical Rehabilitation Reference Centre in Juba plays a crucial role in providing essential services to both South Sudanese citizens and refugees. Ongoing support from international organizations, along with legislative advancements, are crucial for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and ensuring their integration into society.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
