South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Denis Ejulu
The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team have provided vital medical treatment to hundreds of sick people in Lobonok payam located 38 km from Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
This is the second visit by the China medical team following the last visit by the 11th batch, which left this year.
Darius Ladu,20, a student at Yapa secondary school was among the patients who benefited from free medical services on Monday during the medical camp organized in Yapa village.
“I developed persistent stomach and joint pain for the past two weeks, and I could not get proper treatment at the only primary health care center we have, because the medicines had got finished,” Ladu told The Dawn.
He was among the several patients who were diagnosed with malaria after undergoing tests which provided instant results.
Ladu appreciated the Chinese doctors for relieving them with the costly burden of treating malaria, a disease that many families in Lobonok struggle to treat due to high levels of poverty.
He disclosed that most of the malaria cases in the area are often referred to Juba, whenever the only functioning primary healthcare center runs out of medicine-a journey many poor households can’t afford.
“I am happy that I and several people in this area have received free treatment,” Ladu said.
Rose Juan,37, and mother of seven expressed relief after receiving medicine from a Chinese gynecologist.
Juan had been enduring burning or painful sensation while passing urine for a period of two years due to urinary tract infection (UTI).
Medical staff at Lobonok primary health care center failed to treat her condition on time due to lack of medicines, but the Chinese doctors gave Juan hope when they provided her with medicine.
“I feel extremely happy after getting medicine from the Chinese doctors because I am optimistic of getting healed,” Juan said.
Chinese doctors also treated Rose Juru, a 50-year-old farmer who had been enduring intense pain in her joints and back for more than two years. She said after she was treated using Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM) that she expects to resume her work in the farm after stopping due to pain in the joints and back.
The traditional Chinese doctor performed acupuncture on her and also provided her with medicine.
“I am feeling less pain now but with time I hope to recover fully when I start taking medication,” Juru said.
Chinese doctors also referred some patients with critical conditions for further medical treatment at the main referral Juba Teaching Hospital where they based full time.
Agnes Keji Philip, a mother of five, who turned up with her four –year- old daughter suffering chronic otitis media (COM) a recurring or long-term infection of the middle ear is among them.
She tried treating her daughter using antibiotic drops and herbal medicine but she did not improve. The Chinese doctors recommended her to turn up for specialized treatment at Juba teaching hospital.
Isaac Loki, medical director of Lobonok Primary Health Care Center appreciated the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team for treating the sick and also donating medicine and food items to the health facility.
“I really appreciate the effort of the Chinese medical team to reach the periphery and vulnerable people,” Loki said.
He said that some sick people in far villages were unable to turn up for the free medical treatment due to lack of ambulance to transport them to the health facility.
Loki asked the Chinese medical to stay for more days in order to treat more people whenever they choose to return to Lobonok.
Du Changyong, leader of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team said the medical outreach in Lobonok is the second large-scale free medical consultation held by China medical team this year, adding that it deeply reflects the friendship and cooperation between China and South Sudan, and also bears witness to the profound friendship between the two peoples.
“China medical team will insist on supporting the development of healthcare in South Sudan by providing high quality medical assistance and personnel training,” Du said.
The Chinese government dispatched the first medical team to South Sudan in 2012, over the past 12 years; China medical teams to South Sudan have made many significant efforts and contributions in improving the health conditions of South Sudan.