South Sudan's government and the Kuwaiti Economic Development Fund yesterday signed an agreement for Kuwait to fund the constructino of a maternatity hospital valued at $12 million, oloated in the western part of Juba in Guri.

The Minister of Health Riek Gai Kok says that the government of Central Equatoria has already given land in Guri area along Gudele 2 tarmac road for the construction.

Speaking on Thursday at Crown Hotel, Riek said that the hospital will be well equipped with all the needed facilities like scanners and surgical equipment. He said that main purpose of the new hospital will be for safe deliveries of babies.

“We have just signed today an agreement between the Kuwaiti Fund and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of South Sudan for the construction of a Kuwaiti women's and children's hospital in Juba city with the capacity of 150 beds,” he said.

“This loan came as the result of the visit by his President Salva Kiir Mayardit to Kuwait last year in which he met the Emir of Kuwait who pledged to support the people and government of South Sudan in different sectors of development including roads and dams, education and health sector,” Riek added.

He said that the hospital will take cases from the western part of Juba including Rock City.

Hamad Alomar, deputy director general of the Kuwaiti Fund said, “I would like to congratulate the government of South Sudan and the people for the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding Agreement for the construction of a maternity hospital that will accommodate 150 beds.”