Photo|By Gai John

The Bor Students’ Association in Universities and Higher Institutes in Juba has donated nearly a ton of medicines, 20 beds and 20 mattresses to three health centres in rural Bor.

The supplies were delivered on Wednesday to Primary Health Care Centres in Baidit, Pariak and Kolmerek, all in Bor South County.

The donation included antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, intravenous fluids, children’s syrups, sanitary pads and plastic buckets for use at the health facilities.

Ayom Akuei Jongkuch, chairman of the association and a medical student at the University of Juba, said the supplies were purchased through contributions from association members and their friends.

 “We provided different essential medicines like malaria drugs, antibiotics, different types of fluids like Normal Saline, Ringer’s lactate and Dextrose, Omeprazole capsules and tablets, syrups for kids, sanitary pads for women and other medicines.”

The student-led team also provided medical services, treating at least 650 patients with minor health conditions across the three facilities.

Akuei said 110 patients were treated in Kolmerek, 300 in Pariak and 240 in Baidit.

The students also cleaned and cleared the compounds of the three health facilities and met with local leaders, including the county commissioner.

Akuei said the initiative was aimed at supporting health workers serving underserved rural communities and encouraging local communities to value education.

“We did this to encourage our people to believe in our education during this time when many do not believe in education, and to save the lives of our people.”

The association says it plans to expand similar activities to other health facilities in Bor County.

Akuei also called on student associations across South Sudan to support neglected health facilities in rural communities.