The president of the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) on Wednesday visited Western Equatoria State to monitor the entity’s activities in the State.
Speaking to media in Yambio, CMMB President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Beth Powers said her visit is to monitor the activities her organization is undertaking and to inaugurate a facility they built in the state.
“I am very happy with the government of Western Equatoria State for providing security for the partners to operate effectively. The purpose of my visit is to inaugurate the facility constructed by CMMB,” Powers said.
She added: “I am also here to oversee the activities which CMMB has been doing in the State because we work to support women and children as well. We shall see how we can expand our programs to other areas as requested by the state authorities.”
Meanwhile, state health minister James Adu Votoki appreciated CMMB, welcomed them to the state, and said there is so much support that the organization has rendered to the people of Western Equatoria.
“We are very happy to welcome the president of CMMB on her visit to the state. CMMB has been doing a lot for the people of this state in the areas of maternity health,” Minister Adu said. “So, we have to appreciate them for what they have done. We are going to continue working in collaboration with them to serve the people of the state.”
He added that there are some far-flung areas in the state that require the support of development partners in service delivery.
“There are areas which are far and have been isolated during the conflict. As peace returns, the citizens have gone back and they need services in areas like Nadiangere Payam which is about 100 km away from Yambio and Namatina Payam, 70 km away,” Adu said. “They have people who fled from the Tambura crisis and they need services. So, we are appealing to our partners to support those communities, especially the children.”
CMMB is currently operating in the 4 counties of Yambio, Nzara, Ezo, and Mvolo supporting maternity and child care.