South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Commissioner of Juba County, Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, has expressed deep conern over the rising cases of cholera in the County.
Speaking to the community over the weekend in Juba, Ezbon emphasized the importance of proper hygiene in curbing the outbreak.
He urged residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and clean water, particularly after shaking hands, using the toilet, and handling food.
“Cholera and other diseases like typhoid and red eye are preventable if we take simple hygiene measures seriously,” said Ezbon.
He said that many people blame medication when they don’t recover, and yet the root cause is poor hand washing habits.
Mary John, a resident of Juba emphasized the urgency of addressing the cholera outbreak, highlighting the interconnected challenges of inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and a lack of public health education.
“This outbreak is a wake-up call. It underscores the dire need for sustainable investment in water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure. Beyond emergency responses, we must focus on long-term solutions to prevent future outbreaks,” said John.
John said that communities need access to clean drinking water, proper waste disposal systems, and continuous education on hygiene practices, adding that without these measures, cholera and other waterborne diseases will continue to pose a significant threat to public health.
She called for greater collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners to tackle the root causes of cholera.
“This is not just a medical issue; it’s a systemic problem that requires coordinated action at all levels. Lives are at stake, and we must act swiftly and decisively,” said John.
In October this year, the National Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, Upper Nile State.
This declaration came following reports of 44 suspected cholera cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases on 23 October 2024 in Renk, Upper Nile State.
As of 27 October 2024, 49 cholera cases have been reported among refugees, returnees, and local communities.
The first suspected case was reported on 28 September 2024 after the County Health Department received a report of a suspected case of cholera at the point of entry in Renk, a border town between Sudan and South Sudan.
