An MSF outreach worker administers oral cholera vaccine to a child at Juba IDPs Camp 3. December 18, 2024. (Photo: Lou Nelson).

The Central Equatoria State government and health partners have launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign in Juba’s internally displaced persons camps 2 and 3, administering 50,000 doses on Wednesday.

This initiative is in response to a surge in cholera cases in the state and other parts of South Sudan where the Ministry of Health and partners recorded 6,000 cases and 60 deaths.

Speaking during the vaccination launch, World Health Organization’s Representative Eva Gordon underscored that the vaccination campaign is being led by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and will take place around five days.

“We should try our best here to clean the environment because we reduce the costs who are getting the cholera high I think we have here in POC, all IDP3, we have six teams and term three,” she said.

“This one is not our response. We got this vaccine from Malakal because of the cases here getting worse, that’s why we are given 50,000 doses.”

She added that the main goal is to reduce the burden of cholera in displacement camps by administering the vaccines, while acknowledging that the quantity available may not be sufficient to cover everyone.

Ms. Gordon said the initiative reflects the urgent need for public health interventions in response to epidemics, especially in vulnerable communities affected by conflict or displacement.

“We have only 50,000 doses for this initiative, which is going to take five days and it’s going to be led by our NGO, its MSF. It’s going to be in charge of the vaccination. Let’s try our best to take the vaccines to reduce the burden of the disease in POC for IDP3 and one.”

“I know it’s not going to be enough, but let’s try our best to reduce the burden by taking the vaccines, which we are going to start today after the release launching. And then we are going to continue from tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of CES Ministry of Health James Wani said the state reported its first cholera case on October 31, shortly after an outbreak was declared in Renk County, Upper Nile.

To date, there have been over 1,800 cases and 20 deaths in nine Payams of Juba County.

Wani said the state has reactivated its task force and improved multi-sector coordination for case management and three cholera treatment units have been established, along with nine oral rehydration points across various health facilities.

“As I’ve talked to you now, we have more than 1,800 cases with 20 deaths. Central Equatoria State took measures to contain the outbreak of virus.”

“These include reactivation of the state task force and response pillar to enhance multi-sector coordination, case management. We have nine oral rehydration points established in the El Sabah Hospital, Gurei PSCC, Jebel, Haibaraka, Kator, Munuki, Melekiya, Gumbu, and Jundekei.”

“With this intervention, it will not be possible to repeat contain the epidemic without administration of oral cholera vaccine.”

On his part, the Chairman of POC 3, Elijah Hon urgently appealed to CES deputy governor about the camp’s critical health situation.

He decried a severe shortage of water and the closure of the only health facility since May 31, 2024, leaving a population of around 38,000 people without health services.

Mr. Hon said the camp had been dependent on the International Medical Corps (IMC) for medication, before it pulled out mid this year.

“We have no water and we have no hospital, Hon. Deputy Governor since 31th May 2024 our only health facility has left. As you came today, Hon. deputy governor, all these people are your people.”

Addressing the vaccination launch, the Deputy Governor of CES, Paulino Lokudu assured residents of the former POC 3 that the state government will organize a cleanup, enhance water access, increase toilet availability, and improve road access.

Furthermore, individuals interested in living independently with proper documentation are encouraged to do so, emphasizing that Central Equatoria is the capital of South Sudan.

“There is issue of sanitation. There is no garbage collection track, and garbage being dumbed anyhow, and nobody taking care of it. We want to tell you we as the government of Central Equatoria together with our partners one day we will come here to clean this camp.

“We are working closely with our partners to make sure the water is provided. So, very soon, you will have water in previous water points, we will work to have more toilets because the toilets that we have is not enough with the number of people here.”