The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) last Thursday handed over a newly installed solar power at the Panyagoor Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) to authorities in Twic East County of Jonglei State.
The installation of the 20-panel solar system was under UNMISS’s Quick Impact Project, and it cost about USD 50,000.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, John Aleer Awan, the acting county commissioner, welcomed the support, saying the health facility will now be operational with an efficient power supply for the first time since 1982.
“Now, there is a big light at the health facility. We are happy and we welcomed it, because those days if a woman was to give birth doctors used light,” he said.
The county official, however, pointed out that the drug store at the PHCC is dilapidated since 2014, and he urged UNMISS to renovate it.
Dr. Chol Leek, the county health director, applauded UNMISS support, saying it will boost health services provision.
Brima Bernard, the UMNISS’s relief and reintegration protection section team leader, said the newly installed power system will ensure that the residents get better health care services.
“The installation of solar power is a viable project, targeting civilians in general, and women and children in particular. The project will enhance the capability of Panyagoor PHCC for better medical services to communities in Panyagoor and the surrounding areas,” he said.