South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kits to the World Health Organization to aid detection of monkey pox in the country.
“This is in addition to the previous provision on September 1 by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention of one kit with 96 tests. These kits equip the South Sudan National Public Health Laboratory with essential tools to rapidly test and enhance detection of the virus. To date, these kits have enabled South Sudan to perform 74 tests, of which all have been negative,” said a statement issued by U.S. Embassy on Friday in Juba.
The development came in the aftermath of increase in mpox cases among countries in the region.
USAID Acting Mission Director, Yohannes Araya said that they remain committed to global health security and improving the health of the people of South Sudan.
“We are pleased to deliver these important testing supplies to halt the spread of mpox in the region.” said Araya.
In 2023, the United States, through USAID delivered a first tranche of $5 million for infectious disease surveillance and response as part of a comprehensive strategy to build Global Health Security.
“In 2024, the U.S. contribution to outbreak prevention, detection and response increased to $7 million. As we continue to provide this assistance, we call upon the transitional government to increase its use of public revenue to support the health sector,” said Araya.