South Sudan’s National Ministry of Health on Saturday inaugurated a 66-bed hospital in Juba. The Gudele General Hospital is a donation from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Sudan. The facility is equipped with modern medical units.
Speaking during the opening of the hospital in Juba, South Sudan’s National Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, expressed her happiness.
“We are very grateful to the United Arab Emirates government for their generous donation of this facility and more. This donation reflects the strong ties, friendship, and cooperation between our two countries,” she noted.
Awel said the South Sudanese medical experts will run the hospital. “I would like to point to your attention that 90 percent of the staff you have seen here today dancing; the cleaners, healthcare professionals, and the doctors are from South Sudan, and 60 percent of them by positive design are from this area. Why are we doing this is because we need ownership, localization, and local capacity enhancement,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony said the medical facility will improve health services in the state and the country.
“This achievement has come with the commitment and partnership from Abu Dhabi Development Fund. I am confident that this main facility will help improve the quality of our health care infrastructure, which will be funded to citizens in Juba and across the nation,” he said.
Khalifa Al Quabisi, Deputy Director for the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, reiterated his country’s commitment to support South Sudan’s health facilities.
“As the project becomes operational, we firmly believe this facility will bolster quality medical care in the country,” he stated.
With the launch of Gudele General Hospital, pressure will be reduced on the country’s main referral hospital, Juba Teaching Hospital.