A newly constructed maternity ward in Western Equatoria State’s Mvolo County was officially opened over the weekend by Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba who also pledged to bring more medical doctors to the area.
The construction of the ward started last year with support from the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB).
Speaking at the function, Governor Futuyo said the construction was initiated as a response to a call by the citizens. He said that during his visit to the area, the biggest challenge he found was that mothers did not have a place for delivery.
“We have built the facility and upgraded it to a hospital and now we will bring doctors to work here,” he said. “I have also given the health facility budgeted of SSP 15 Million.”
In a related story, Governor Futuyo announced that he would construct the road from Mvolo to Yambio starting in March and also promised to build a boarding school in Mvolo.
Meanwhile, the CMMB Country Director Jacqueline George reiterated their commitment to continue supporting health facilities in the state and said they will also continue to support health workers.
“I am very grateful because the people said that they used to walk long distances to get health services. Now we have brought the health services here to people so we encourage women to come and deliver in the hospital,” she said. “We will continue to support the health sector with drugs and other materials as much as we can for the people of Mvolo.”
Cegerina Dindo, a mother who lives in Mvolo, told Radio Tamazuj that she is happy because the new maternity ward will help women deliver safely.
“I am very happy with today. We have been facing a lot of challenges in terms of delivery and other critical and completed diseases and people travel for a distance to Mapurdit or Lui Hospital for further treatment. Today I am happy because we have a hospital near here and we will not suffer.”
Dingo said many babies and mothers died during delivery in the past.
Another Mvolo resident, Loyce Ngilo, however, said that the health facility needs doctors and other health workers.
“I have a problem with my womb and there was no treatment and there is no hospital where I can get treatment,” she stated. “I went to Mapuridit more than 10 times and each time I spent SSP 4,000 on transport until I got tired and yet I am still sick.”
“Now that we have a hospital here, I hope to get treatment and I urge women to go to the facility for treatment and delivery,” Ngilo added.