The inauguration of Madhol Hospital in Aweil East County, facilitated by UAE funding, is a pivotal development for improving healthcare delivery in South Sudan amidst challenges posed by the Sudan conflict. Chief Amet Mabior Yel celebrated the event, highlighting the direct benefits for local communities. Key officials, including UAE and WHO representatives, reaffirmed commitments to enhance health services, stressing ongoing support for refugees and returnees in the region.
In Juba, Chief Amet Mabior Yel expressed his profound joy at the inauguration of the Madhol Hospital, situated near his home. The 72-year-old arrived early to the ceremony with family, celebrating the opening of a vital health facility intended to enhance healthcare accessibility in Madhol Payam, Aweil East County. Mr. Yel reflected on the challenges faced by his community in seeking medical help, noting the significance of having a hospital built in their midst.
South Sudan faces a fragile health system characterized by inadequate facilities and ongoing public health crises, worsened by the humanitarian impacts of the conflict in Sudan, which affects especially the northern regions bordering Sudan. The newly opened Madhol Hospital will serve as a major referral center for the densely populated state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, directly benefiting local residents and surrounding areas.
The establishment of the Madhol Field Hospital was funded by the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the need for essential health services in the region. Governor Simon Ober Mawut recognized the timely opening of this facility amidst increasing health challenges due to the influx of refugees from Sudan, highlighting the hospital’s role in alleviating the burden on existing medical institutions.
His Excellency Shreikh Shakhbout Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed his country’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery in South Sudan through collaborative efforts with local and international partners, committing to high international standards in health service provision.
Dr. Karamagi, the WHO Representative for South Sudan, lauded the inauguration of Madhol Hospital as a significant advancement for the country’s healthcare system and the partnership between South Sudan and the UAE. He emphasized WHO’s ongoing commitment to work with various stakeholders to enhance health outcomes, serious about strengthening infrastructure and emergency health responses.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced hundreds of thousands into South Sudan since April 2023, intensifying pressures on an already strained healthcare system. Displaced individuals predominantly seek refuge in northern states, escalating existing health issues and necessitating improved healthcare delivery mechanisms.
Efforts by WHO and local health authorities are underway to ensure adequate health services for refugees and returnees, which include enhanced disease surveillance and emergency response. With UAE funding, WHO has supplied vast quantities of medical provisions and trained healthcare workers to bolster the region’s capacity in combating infectious diseases and addressing malnutrition.
The establishment of Madhol Hospital marks a significant milestone in improving healthcare delivery in South Sudan, particularly in the face of regional challenges stemming from the conflict in Sudan. This collaboration between the UAE and local authorities not only addresses pressing health care needs but also demonstrates a strategic commitment to enhancing the overall health system of South Sudan. With continued support in infrastructure and medical training, there is hope for better health outcomes in the region.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
