State launches second phase of public health emergency centre

The Health Minister Elizabeth Acuei Yol presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the second phase construction of Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Juba on February 4.

The event— which was held on Thursday—was attended by African Development Bank Country Manager Benedic Kanu. The other guests were the Head of Cooperation in the Embassy of Japan Nobuhiro Kikuchi, World Health Organization (WHO) staff based in Juba and health ministry officials.

The project is funded by the AfDB. It is expected that upon its completion, the project will strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to emergency public health needs as required by the 2005 International Health Regulations. This makes it necessary given the country’s susceptibility to epidemics and urgent medical needs.

“By putting our collective efforts into a PHEOC project, the Ministry of Health will be better placed to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and public health emergencies of international concern,” Acuei Yol said.

According to the minister, setting up healthcare centres requires quality personnel and infrastructure. And this is what the country stands to gain in striking partnerships with partner organisations like AfDB and WHO. It is this sort of collaboration that she said the government is committed to so that the medical facilities can get a facelift.

“The support provided by the Bank is yet another testimony of the Bank’s growing commitment to closely work with the Government of South Sudan, a valued shareholder of the Bank, and other partners, to assist to build health system capacity for emergency preparedness in the country,’’ said AfDB boss Benedict Kanu.