Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr. Harriet Pasquale speaks on Eye Radio's Dawn Show. November 13, 2024. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

The National Ministry of Health reveals that 10,765 cholera cases and 168 deaths have been recorded across South Sudan since the outbreak was declared on 28th October 2024.

Dr. Harriet Pasquale Akello, the Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Health, said Unity state in particular is severely affected by the outbreak.

According to the data, 50 percent of the cases are from Rubkona County in Unity, 13.1 percent from Juba County, and 10 percent in Malakal town.

According to the official, the country will receive another 2.7 million doses in 2025 covering other parts of Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Lakes State.

“Based on the current situation, we see that Unity state is severely affected by this outbreak. We have now relocated a part of this vaccine to be administered in Rubkona,” he said on Eye Radio’s Dawn Show.

“We are still expecting additional vaccines in the pipeline. So, we have already submitted a request. And in the new year, we should be able to receive another 2.7 million vaccines.”

On Sunday, the health ministry announced the arrival of 1.1 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine, donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).

Dr.Harriet added that her ministry is facing challenges related to funding constraints and issues of multi-sectoral coordination.

“The health sector has managed to work very hard with its partners but we see a bit of a slow pick up from the WASH sector, which we are encouraging them to join us in the response, and thirdly the issue of the knowledge gap in the community.”

“Also, our cholera response issues related to access to healthcare services are another challenge. And finally, the healthcare provider information gap has also affected our response and that’s why we have a very high case fatality rate in this cholera.”

The health official urges adherence to prevention guidelines including drinking safe water, washing hands and eating well cooked food.

“We should make sure that the water we drink is either boiled or chlorinated if you have access to chlorine. Secondly, we should eat food which is well cooked. Avoid eating cold food and make sure that when you handle food, you always keep your hands clean.”