China will assist the government in the modernization and expansion of Juba Teaching Hospital, and Kiir Mayardit Women’s hospital in Rumbek, a Chinese diplomat has announced.

Zhang Yi, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Juba, says the deal was reached following a visit to China by a delegation from the Ministry of Health last week.

The delegation to China was headed by the Minister, Dr Riek Gai Kok.

Mr Yi, who returned with the officials Thursday, says the projects will improve provision of services at the two main referral hospitals.

“This will in the future provide better health service to South Sudan, to the nation and to its people,” the diplomat stressed.

Mr Yi further said China will in a partnership with the Ministry of Health, offer scholarships for South Sudanese doctors and nurses as part of the project.

He, however, warned that one critical thing that might delay the implementation of the projects, is continuous insecurity in the country.

Juba Teaching Hospital, the only referral hospital in the whole country, is directly funded by the national government through the National Ministry of Health, and supported by international health partners.

However, the hospital is still not well equipped and lacks basic medical supplies and equipment as well as human resources to deliver quality healthcare services to the people, according to officials.

This week, the authorities reported that the health facility had spent 5 days without power supply, after the only generator, which had been running since 2008, broke down.

On the other hand, the state of Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital is unclear. But it suspended its services due to fuel shortage just 6 days after being inaugurated in 2014.