JUBA, July 29, 2024 — Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng has urged the government and international donors to bolster funding to fight hepatitis in South Sudan. Deng made the appeal during World Hepatitis Day in Juba, highlighting the nation’s struggles in treatment, prevention, and screening due to insufficient resources.
“I am not shy about saying that we need to increase domestic funding and international funding for health. Health matters are national security matters, and they are not only for the government; they are for all of us. You do your part as a citizen, and the government will do its part,” Deng said.
WHO Technical Officer Dr. Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, representing the Country Representative, emphasized the importance of blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all donations, to curb the transmission of hepatitis B and C.
“Introduction of a hepatitis B growth dose can remarkably reduce new infections. In Health Minister Calls for Increased Funding to Combat Hepatitis Surge
JUBA, July 29, 2024 — Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng has urged the government and international donors to bolster funding to fight hepatitis in South Sudan. Deng made the appeal during World Hepatitis Day in Juba, highlighting the nation’s struggles in treatment, prevention, and screening due to insufficient resources.
“I am not shy about saying that we need to increase domestic funding and international funding for health. Health matters are national security matters, and they are not only for the government; they are for all of us. You do your part as a citizen, and the government will do its part,” Deng said.
WHO Technical Officer Dr. Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, representing the Country Representative, emphasized the importance of blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all donations, to curb the transmission of hepatitis B and C.
“Introduction of a hepatitis B growth dose can remarkably reduce new infections. In addition, implementing blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all the donated blood, can prevent transmission of hepatitis B and C,” Senkwe said.
“WHO urges the government of South Sudan to embrace new technologies in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments to advance the elimination of hepatitis by 2030, which is just six years from now,” she added.
World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28, focusing this year on raising awareness about the importance of early testing and treatment. According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 10 percent of South Sudanese live with chronic hepatitis B and C infections., implementing blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all the donated blood, can prevent transmission of hepatitis B and C,” Senkwe said.
“WHO urges the government of South Sudan to embrace new technologies in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments to advance the elimination of hepatitis by 2030, which is just six years from now,” she added.
World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28, focusing this year on raising awareness about the importance of early testing and treatment. According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 10 percent of South Sudanese live with chronic hepatitis B and C infections.
