FILE PHOTO: Members of the transitional national legislature during a sitting in Juba. | Photo: Courtesy.

The National Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the National Public Health Institute Bill, 2022 by a majority.

The bill was discussed in the assembly’s 15th regular session at Freedom Hall on June 19.

The second reading stage was presented by Hon. Edward Dominic, who is the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Population.

During the deliberation that lasted for more than two hours, the lawmakers passed the bill with recommendations and reservations.

The purpose is to create early warning and response surveillance systems that can address health threats, emergencies, and national disasters promptly.

It intends to establish the institute as a centre of excellence to supervise, control, and coordinate matters related to public health.

These include disease surveillance, laboratory systems and networks, emergency preparedness and response, the establishment of the workforce, and public health research.

However, some members of parliament argued that the bill was incomplete and needed to be sent back to the committee.

But, after an extended debate, the assembly approved the bill with all its recommendations and reservations.

“The Bill of the National Public Health Institute Bill 2022, is hereby passed in its fourth and final reading with all the recommendations,” said Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, who presided over Monday’s session.

For his part, the spokesperson of the parliament, John Agany explained the importance of the Public Health Institute Bill.

“This bill is very important because it addresses health issues and will be treated as a technical institute for research and development,” Agany said.

“It can supervise the supervision body for the other centres for the ten states plus the three administrative areas.”

“This institute is very important for the health of South Sudanese it will aim to make research and standardise our health issues it will supplement the Act which is basing the health issues in the Republic of South Sudan.”