The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Wau’s Masna Talib Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday received free medical treatment from the Bangladesh peacekeeping contingent deployed in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the launch of the campaign, the Banbatt 7 contingent representative, Lt. Col Mostafa Gulam, said the one-day medical campaign is targeting adults and children suffering from minor deceases including headaches, malaria, and stomach problems among others.
“We have come here for a civic activity, a medical campaign by the Banbatt 7 UNMISS, to treat people with illnesses and we are going through medical procedures,” he said. “The medicine we are providing is from our side, this will help the IPDs and the refugees, those here will all get the medicines. This campaign will continue and we will come again to support the people. We will continue supporting an estimated 300 people here medically with medicines.”
Lt. Col. Gulam added: “We know that the humidity is very high and that is why we have started by treating children first.”
On his part, the chief at the POC site, James Aguer Ken, welcomed the assistance offered by the UN protection forces to the IDPs.
“My name is James Aguer the chief of Watholelo and I stay here in Masna IDPc camp. There is a total of 3,551 people staying here and we came here on 5 May 2017 because of the past conflict between farmers and cattle herders,” he explained. “These IDPs came from Watholelo, Roc-Roc dong, Kuajeina, Mapel, and Udici. Initially, the number was 15,341 people but it has now reduced to 3,551 individuals. A large number have voluntarily returned to their respective homes.”
“The UN soldiers have treated us and brought for us drugs because the people here in the camp cannot afford treatment in the clinics or hospital because they do not have money,” Chief Aguer added.
He urged the UNMISS peacekeepers to expand their medical support to those in need outside Wau town, particularly in Akeno, Watholelo, Mbili, and other areas.
Meanwhile, a mother who identified herself as Rose Amir Dimo said she was so happy to see her teenage child receive medicines.
“My child was suffering from a swollen naval so I brought him here because this mobile clinic does not ask for money. I got free medicines and I am happy and hope my child recovers quickly,” she said. “We are suffering because we do not have money to take our children to clinics but with this free medicine, I have a hope that my child will recover.”