Rumbek Municipality Launches Cleaning Campaign to Combat Looming Cholera

By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok

The management of Rumbek Municipality on Saturday initiated a significant cleaning campaign to combat diseases identified by the state Ministry of Health, including malaria, cholera, and monkeypox in Lakes State.

“Maintaining cleanliness in Rumbek town promotes a safe environment and enhances public health, as prevention is better than cure. It is the responsibility of the municipality to serve as a role model in raising awareness and enforcing general cleanliness among the business community in Rumbek town” said  Akhol Paul Manyang Magom, the Lord Mayor of Rumbek Municipality.

Magom said  that the municipal council has a program in development to remove waste from the drainage systems, which are currently blocked by garbage dumped by local traders. This blockage prevents water from flowing to its intended location. Budgeting is necessary to facilitate the removal of this waste and improve water movement in the Rumbek market.

During a general cleaning campaign, Magom officially closed the Diakone Clinic in the Rumbek main market due to unsanitary conditions both outside and inside the clinic.

He assured the clinic staff that it would be reopened once they agreed to clean the premises. Ongoing supervision will be enforced, similar to what is done at the state hospital, Kiir Mayardit’s women’s hospital, and others.

Maker Aru, the Director of Public Health, issued a warning during a press statement regarding the sale of leftover food in restaurants, stating that it is strictly against public health laws.

He also emphasized that residents in surveyed areas who fail to comply with public health policies, such as not digging latrines, are committing a crime.

Additionally, Mr. Manyiel Buoi Machut, the Executive Chief of the Malual Kodi Quarter Council, stated that adherence to government hygiene and sanitation regulations should be mandatory.

 He urged all local chiefs and quarter councils to actively participate in raising community awareness and to enforce these regulations when violations occur.

“The Government hygiene and sanitation measures should be compulsory. All local chiefs and quarter councils must be involved in disseminating community awareness and enforcing these measures when violations occur”