Western Equatoria State’s Ministry of General Education and Instruction has launched a cholera awareness and prevention campaign targeting schoolchildren in Yambio.
The initiative, which began on Wednesday, aims to teach students about the risks of cholera and how to avoid infection as the rainy season approaches.
State Minister for General Education and Instruction Grace Apollo Musa stressed the importance of raising awareness among pupils to curb the spread of the disease.
“We took the initiative to move around schools, ensuring students understand how to protect themselves from cholera. We visited Yabongo Primary, Yabongo Secondary, Gracia Primary, and Yambio Secondary schools to assess their environment and share health messages. The schools are maintaining good hygiene, and we encourage others to do the same,” she said.
Samuel Angelo, headteacher of Yabongo Nursery and Primary School, welcomed the campaign, saying schools were already taking precautions.
“We ensure classrooms are cleaned daily, drinking water is safe, and handwashing facilities are available. We also urge parents to educate their children about cholera prevention at home, especially as the rainy season approaches,” he said.
Mr Angelo called on the government to work with partners to improve health facilities and provide more resources for schools.
Santino Urusa, headmaster of Yabongo Day Secondary School, noted that the community was already alert to the threat of cholera, given outbreaks in parts of Central Equatoria State. He emphasised the need for ongoing efforts to safeguard students and residents.
Western Equatoria State’s Health Minister, James Abdallah Arona, said measures were in place to prevent cholera.
“We appreciate the community for staying vigilant. The State ministry holds cluster meetings every Thursday to discuss cholera, polio, and measles prevention. To keep students safe, schools need access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene education,” he said.
Mr Arona urged parents to reinforce good hygiene practices at home, saying cholera prevention begins there.
The campaign is part of wider efforts to protect communities from waterborne diseases, particularly as heavy rains increase the risk of outbreaks.