As China Contributes to Health Sector Growth, South Sudanese Reap Benefits

By Simon Deng

At Juba Teaching Hospital, new units are growing steadily, under the stewardship of professional Chinese engineers but also, it comes with economic and social benefits for thousands of South Sudanese associated with the health facility.

From patients to medical staffs and workers employed in the construction works, there is a sense of satisfaction over the development.

Under construction currently are the administration and units for wards and stores among others, according to Lu Yongqiang, who is the project manager from China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the company undertaking the construction works.

Lu said the project will be completed in January 2027 before more expansion work is undertaken.

“There are six different functional zones for phase two like the technical building, the inpatient building, the infectious illness building, administration building and logistic building,” Lu told The Dawn in an interview at the project site.

“The building meets the quality standard well, and it can be used for 50 years. The patient’s bed capacity, after phase 2 finishes, will go up to 600. Meanwhile we will also install some special professional equipment or instrument for the patients,” he said.

 “After we finish this project, Juba Teaching Hospital will be a very comprehensive and, very big hospital. I think it will be number one project in South Sudan and reach the highest level of the hospital.”

According to Ayuen Philip Atiel, the Acting Director for Administration and Finance at Juba Teaching Hospital, the project under construction is a classic indication of the Chinese participation in the development of South Sudan.

“The Chinese are really trying to help our government and people. This project is a good example; they have given us a lot of help with medical care, food and other things, and we are grateful for their support,” Atiel said.

“The number of patients we receive daily exceeds 2,000. Given our current capacity, we cannot accommodate them all. However, once this building is completed, they will be properly accommodated and receive the necessary services,” he said.

Yony Manyiel Gow works as an interpreter at the project and said the job has been helpful in the life of his family.

“Since there is hardship of finding job in South Sudan nowadays, the project are helping me,” said the 30-year-old, a graduate in petroleum engineering from a Chinese institute, to The Dawn.

“It’s not easy to find work these days, especially in the oil sector, but I didn’t want to stay idle. I got a chance to work as an interpreter, and I’m also in charge of workers. I am getting something,” Gow said.

 “The money is for keeping myself and as well for the supply of the needs of my family,” he said.

“I have no problem with the employers, I know their language and we just look like a family.”

The project employs many South Sudanese workers, including interpreters, drivers, carpenters, bricklayers, and equipment operators.

Most of them are skilled personnel, Guo Dawen, the project management team leader from China Urban Construction Design and Research Institution told The Dawn.

“We have a very good employment relationship. They are benefiting in terms of getting salaries or other incentives as employees. I think even with the salary paid by us, they can feed their family members well,” Guo said.

“Sometimes we also invited the Chinese medical team to give our local employees free medical checkups and cholera vaccines. We purify the water and supply them with clean water,” he said.

Alongside the project, several corporate responsibilities are being undertaken by the Chinese engineers, Guo said.

“While we are busy building, we also try to give back to the community. We have fixed up the Juba orphanage, things like doors, windows, beds and electrical systems. We built a new kitchen, cleaned up the place and gave the kids school supplies,” he said.

“We have also repaired roads around the hospital and improved the area for people living nearby. We have donated fuel and other supplies to the hospital, fixed up their offices and helped some of the hospital staff with housing.”

Richard Mena Edward who is employed as a driver can attest to the benefits got from the project.

“Right now you work and you benefit personally from the China project. I get money and that helps me feed the family. It helps me in many other things especially medical care,” the 28-year-old said.

“The Chinese whom we are working with are good people. They are very honest, they talk in good and polite manner and they give advice and we have even learnt what we do not know from them,” he said.