The South Sudan Red Cross, with support from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, over the weekend donated a consignment of contingency medicines to the Eastern Equatoria State health ministry.
Authorities said health facilities across the state, including the Torit State Hospital, have been experiencing drug shortages.
The acting head of the South Sudan Red Cross at the Torit branch, Joseph Oyet, said the donation is meant to improve the health situation of patients in the health facilities in the state.
“As a Red Cross, we are witnessing and donation of drugs to the ministry of health. This support came as a result of our request and support from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society who have been our partners,” he said. “The donation of these drugs to the state ministry of health will help us a lot in saving lives.”
The Eastern Equatoria State health minister, Lodae Pasqual, confirmed the receipt of the medicine and appreciated the Red Cross.
“Today (Friday), we are receiving a donation from the Red Cross with support from so many other partners which include the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. We are so much appreciative of the efforts that were put in place by the medical director,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa Lokuru, the medical director at the Torit State Hospital said the drugs will be supplied to health facilities across the state.
“These drugs will benefit Eastern Equatoria in general whereby some facilities will also be supplied and the state capital will be the first beneficiary,” Dr. Lokuru said.
Emmanuela Kaku, a patient at Torit State Hospital, explained that they have been suffering due to a shortage of drugs which has forced many patients to seek treatment outside the facility.
“We are admitted without any medicine, even cannulas are not there and we are buying medicines from pharmacies which are expensive,” she said.
Kaku said some people no longer go to health facilities due to the lack of medicines.
Another patient, James Mada, said he has been admitted to the state hospital for the last ten days without proper medication.
“All this time we have been suffering without drugs and we are happy with the Red Cross for supporting us with drugs,” he said. “Many people are sick and there was no medicine. This will now help us a lot.”