The South Sudan National Ministry of Health said more than 6,500 South Sudanese children will not be vaccinated against polio disease in Unity and Upper Nile states this year due to difficulty reaching the war-affected areas as well as lack of resources in the ministry.

Director of Vaccination at the National Ministry of Health Samson Paul said in a meeting with the heath committee of the SPLM-IO and the National Minster of Heath Dr. Riek Gai Kok that children in Unity and Upper Nile states have not been vaccinated against polio.

He added that the ministry is seeking to work with the SPLM-IO to reach those children in the nearest time possible. 

The two sides agreed to send a technical committee to conduct a survey in rebel held areas in Upper Nile region.

National Minster of Health Dr. Riek Gai Kok reaffirmed his commitment to direct the NGOs to provide health services to these areas.

Meanwhile, the Director of Tonj North hospital in Warrap state said they have launched a polio campaign in the area since last Friday and will end today Monday.