Health partners assess Western Equatoria preparedness for Bundibugyo virus disease
A high-level delegation from South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute, the World Health Organization and other health partners has met authorities in Western Equatoria State to assess preparedness for possible cases of Bundibugyo virus disease.
On Wednesday, the delegation held discussions with state authorities, including Acting Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, before visiting the Nabiapai Point of Entry and health facilities in Yambio to assess the state’s readiness to detect and respond to potential cases.
The team inspected Bundibugyo virus disease holding areas at Nabiapai Primary Health Care Unit and Yambio State Hospital, as well as a newly established 28-bed isolation unit.
The visit comes as an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease continues in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, including areas near the South Sudan border, according to the Office of the Governor of Western Equatoria State.
The governor’s office said WHO and its partners are supporting the state to strengthen disease screening, surveillance, laboratory testing, patient care, infection prevention and control, and community engagement.
In a separate meeting in Juba, WHO Officer-in-Charge Dr Moses Ongom met Governor Rimbasa to discuss preparedness, WHO support and gaps in the state’s health response.
The discussions focused on strengthening surveillance, timely reporting of suspected cases, preparedness at health facilities and providing communities with reliable health information.
Western Equatoria borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, with communities on both sides maintaining links through travel, trade and family ties. Health authorities say the movement of people across the border makes disease surveillance and preparedness important.
The preparedness activities are being supported by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations and the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund through WHO’s Bundibugyo virus disease readiness operations.
