South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday launched first ever specialized hospital in Juba to treat patients with kidney diseases.

The health facility was supported by Sudanese businessman Ashraf Cardinal to provide free healthcare services to the people of South Sudan.

Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the new hospital, Kiir thanked the Cardinal Group of Companies for supporting the people of South Sudan. Kiir said the hospital will have positive impacted on the lives of many South Sudanese who couldn’t afford treatment costs.

“It is has been a long standing priority of our government to improve health infrastructure and services across South Sudan. This faculty will enable our citizens who have kidney diseases to receive first class treatment right here at home. They will no longer have to travel abroad for diagnoses or long-term care,” Kiir said.

“We realized that development goes hand in hand with peace, therefore, as part of our obligation to return our nation to peace and prosperity, we continue to work through the international forum provided by IGAD,” he added.

Kiir encouraged other business people to invest and develop strong partnership with the government of south Sudan in the health sector. “We also urge you to expand to other areas such as education and agriculture,” he said.