UNMISS refurbishes Critical COVID-19 Care Center in Yambio

By Charles Lotara
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has refurbished a Critical Care Center in Yambio of Western Equatoria State to further demonstrate their commitment to support government efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of its ongoing contribution toward the nation-led COVID-19 response, the UN agency and development partners handed over 16 rooms to local authorities.
Done as a joint public health initiative with the State COVID-19 Task Force, the refurbished facility is designed to be a fully equipped isolation centre for residents and displaced persons who may contract the deadly virus.
In a statement on their official website, UNMISS says it also handed over a 50KVA generator, 20 beds and mattresses, 120 bed linens, and a water tank with a capacity of 5000 liters.
Addressing attenders during the official handover ceremony, Stella Abayomi, UNMISS Acting Head of Field Office in Western Equatoria said UNMISS is working toward creating a safe and conducive environment.
“These efforts from UNMISS aim at enabling a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We hope that this facility will help in mitigating the impact of the pandemic here (in Yambio),” she said.
The handover was officiated by General Alfred Futuyo, Governor, Western Equatoria, who expressed his appreciation for the peacekeeping mission and reaffirmed his commitment to protect the facility.
He also called on the partners to extend their help to the Yambio Civil Hospital. “I will see to it that this facility does not close down. We are going to maintain it and protect this place security-wise.
Furthermore, yesterday, I started renovations at the Yambio Civil Hospital and I want to urge all our national and international partners – UNMISS, businesspeople and all other stakeholders – to extend a helping hand to local authorities in making this endeavor a success. As Governor, I pledge my commitment to ensuring healthcare for all community members,” stated Futuyo.
Stella Aya, Acting Coordinator, World Health Organization, highlighted the need to work as partners and shoulder collective responsibility during the ongoing pandemic.
“The threat from coronavirus is real for all of us and it is our duty to work together to fight it, raise awareness on preventative measures among community members and make sure everyone stays safe and healthy,” said Aya.
As of 26 August 2020, a total of 2,515 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in South Sudan and 47 deaths reported. Most patients diagnosed have been asymptomatic. In Western Equatoria specifically, 164 alerts have been investigated of which 5 are confirmed cases. There have been no deaths here so far.