Health authorities in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal announced on Thursday that the construction of a regional laboratory and neonatal wards is underway, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
William Deng Lual, the State Health Director-General, told Radio Tamazuj that the expanded laboratory and paediatric departments at Aweil State Hospital are being constructed with assistance from UNDP and MSF.
“Many hospitals will refer patients to Aweil State Hospital because of this laboratory, which we expect to complete very soon. A team of engineers is making progress, and we anticipate completion by the first week of May. The National Ministry of Health and UNDP South Sudan officials will preside over the inauguration,” said Lual.
He added, “MSF is implementing several projects within the same hospital and has already begun constructing the neonatal ward. Once completed, they will start work on the intensive care unit (ICU).”
Angelina Agau Thiep, a resident of Aweil Town, highlighted the challenges of accessing medical services in Juba due to high travel costs.
“Hospitals must provide all necessary services because air and land travel are expensive. Medical examinations and accommodation in Juba are costly. If all these services are available in the state, many problems will be solved,” she said.
Aguer Kawac Akok, Executive Director of Christ Restore Hope (CRH), praised the State Government and its partners for supporting quality health programmes. He expressed hope that more cases would be handled locally in the future.
“We are pleased with the initiative taken by the Government of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State and its partners to strengthen the health system. We hope that in the future, no patient from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal will need to be referred to Juba or elsewhere,” Akok said.