El shabah children hospital is one of the health facilities supported by HEALTH Pooled Fund in South Sudan - credit | Charles Wote/Eye Radio - Nov. 6, 2021

Al Sabah Children’s Hospital is set to receive its first dedicated paediatric operating theatre between September and October this year, according to the hospital’s executive director.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Tuesday, Dr Justin Reuben said the new theatre is a donation from the international charity Kids Operating Room.

Kids Operating Room, also known as Kids-OR, supports the installation of operating theatres across sub-Saharan Africa.

“The good news is that we have gotten an organization called Kids-OR that installs theatres in sub-Saharan Africa. They have agreed to install one for us here. That will be the only theatre dedicated to children.

“The rest of the theatres in the country are designed for adults, but this time we’ll have one specifically designed for children,” he said.

Dr Reuben said the new facility will allow children to undergo specialised surgeries at Al Sabah Children’s Hospital instead of being referred to other hospitals due to the lack of a functioning theatre.

He said most of the equipment is expected to arrive in August, with installation planned for completion by September or October.

According to him, the facility will become the country’s first operating theatre specifically designed for children.

“Next time, I’m sure we will handle children here in Al Sabah because this will be their home. Of course, the challenge will be to integrate a ward for them. But with ASK Foundation and the rest of the team, we believe in possibilities,” he said.

Dr Reuben added that the hospital is also planning future expansion to accommodate more paediatric patients.

The announcement comes as Al Sabah Children’s Hospital continues to face infrastructure and capacity challenges despite being the country’s main referral facility for specialised paediatric care.

The hospital also provides maternal and neonatal services but has for years struggled with inadequate ward space, forcing some patients to receive treatment in congested conditions.

Frequent power interruptions have affected the operation of critical medical equipment, while an unreliable water supply has complicated infection prevention and routine patient care.

Health officials have repeatedly identified the shortage of specialised infrastructure, including operating theatres and paediatric wards, as a major obstacle to delivering quality healthcare for children and newborns.

The planned paediatric theatre is expected to strengthen surgical services for children and reduce the need to refer young patients to other hospitals for operations.