South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Doctors at the main referral Juba Teaching Hospital have raised concerns over the increasing number of cholera cases in Juba, urging residents to seek immediate treatment and maintain proper hygiene to curb the spread of the disease.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Annin Ngot Ngot, said the government has stepped up its monitoring efforts as cases continue to surge.
“This is the fifth inspection at Juba Teaching Hospital. We have seen the cholera centre, which is currently overwhelmed due to the daily increase in cases,” Dr. Ngot Ngot said during a visit to the facility.
Ngot called on the public to seek medical assistance at government hospitals and also urged city authorities to enforce food safety measures.
“We call upon people to access government hospitals for treatment. I have also directed the Juba City Council to monitor vendors selling food along the roadside to ensure hygiene is maintained and reduce the spread of cholera in the city,” he said.
The medical director of Juba Teaching Hospital Dr. Isaac Maker, said frontline health workers are under pressure but continue providing treatment despite challenges.
“Cholera can kill, but its management is simple,” Maker said.
“You have to boil your water and maintain good hygiene, If you experience diarrhoea or vomiting, don’t wait to rush to Juba Teaching Hospital for treatment. We are fully equipped to help, and our nurses are available 24 hours a day, even though they have not received their salaries,” he added.
Meanwhile, the supervisor of the cholera treatment center at Juba Teaching hospital Lucia Thomas Loro, said that cholera cases have significantly increased in April, leading to fatalities.
“We have already lost several lives. One pregnant woman who was diagnosed with anemia died, and two children passed away just as they arrived at the hospital,” she explained.
Loro highlighted the difficulties in treating paediatric cases, saying the facility lacks sufficient space and resources.
“We only have two rooms, and they are not enough. We have three or four children sharing one bed. Just yesterday, four children had to sleep on one bed. This is a big problem, and we are calling on local organizations for urgent support,” she said.
According to the Ministry of Health, South Sudan has recorded more than 45,000 confirmed cholera cases and over 800 deaths across nine states and two administrative areas. Children remain the most affected demographic.
