By Jerry Omondi
Two years since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in South Sudan, and with some 17,144 infections and 138 fatalities recorded, health authorities remain relentless in the efforts to contain further spread the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the first six months of the pandemic, the youngest African nation had only one certified testing laboratory. Now however, the country has a reliable network of 32 GeneXpert machines repurposed to test COVID-19 and over 250 health facilities in remote settings that use antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDTs) to detect for the presence of COVID-19.
The country has begun producing oxygen following the successful installation of the country’s first oxygen plant at Juba Teaching Hospital. In addition, South Sudan upgraded its Public Health Emergency Operations Center with an expansion of the facility. The center was also equipped with hardware and software to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and emergencies of international concern.
These measures have been complemented by various government-imposed restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, as well as an ongoing mass vaccination drive that has so far seen more than 500,000 people fully vaccinated.
“South Sudan with support from partners since the start of COVID-19 pandemic has been relentlessly implementing necessary response measures including improving treatment testing, surveillance and vaccination. These measures have so far helped in slowing the transmission and save lives of many,” said Dr John Rumunu, the Director-General of Preventive Health Services, Ministry of Health.
Dr Rumunu noted that the pandemic had demonstrated the importance of preparedness to respond efficiently to health emergencies.
He acknowledged that the past two years have been challenging for the health sector, but that the country was emerging stronger and would be more resilient in the case of future emergencies.
