As the world marked International Volunteer Day (IVD) on Thursday 5 December, UN volunteers (UNV) in the Lakes State capital, Rumbek, with support from UNMISS, handed over a newly renovated ward to Rumbek State Hospital.
The renovation of the ward cost USD 6,000 and each UN volunteer and UN international staff contributed USD 30 to the effort organized by the volunteers.
Rumbek State Hospital Medical Director Dr. Terran Madit Terran thanked the UN volunteers.
“I want to send out my happiness and gratitude to this nice initiative that was carried out by UN volunteers. We were in the group starting from the planning and I came to know that it is of group of people who have a heart to help. I really appreciate the work that has been done by the health partners and they have been here for the whole day to make sure that this work is finished,” he said. “There were some gaps left when the Health Pooled Fund pulled out and the hospital was left for a period without funds and the little resources collected were directed to service delivery by taking care of patients. The area of infrastructure was not a priority and that is why when this group came and we had a tour of the hospital, they decided to renovate the medical Ward.”
“We have to acknowledge that you have done a very good thing and we will try to maintain the ward,” Dr. Madit added.
For her part, Fatinata Mamie Henrietta, a UN volunteer attached to the UNMISS field office in Rumbek, said they decided to undertake the project to rehabilitate the ward for both males and females because it was dilapidated.
“As UN volunteers, we decided to take over this project, we filled the form of almost USD 6,000 and we did a monthly subscription of USD 10. We also donated extra when it was not enough. We were able to procure 30 mattresses, 30 bed mats, and pillows among other things,” she explained. “We also all the widows because there was no wire mesh and mosquito nets. We changed 20 roofing sheets. We also did the painting and worked on the floor and we completed everything. The people of Lakes State should take good care of the hospital because now it is in good condition.”
For his part, the head of the UNMISS field office, Christopher Muchiru Murenga, said the International Volunteer Day embodies the spirit of UN volunteers and collective actions.
“We commemorated the day in Rumbek today by handing over to the community a newly renovated medical ward at Rumbek State Hospital that was made possible by the efforts of the UN volunteers of the UNMISS field office,” he stated. “It represents hope and we knew and our collective commitments to supporting the government efforts in improving service delivery to the people of Lakes State, particularly in this case of health and wellbeing. We recognize access to quality health care is fundamental to the prosperity and resilience of any community.”
“I must humbly extend my deep gratitude to the UN volunteers’ team whose dedication and hard work has made this renovation possible,” Muchiru added.