[Juba, South Sudan, TCT] …South Sudan key government officials said Chinese traditional system of ‘barefoot doctors system’ can easily improve the war-torn country’s health sector.
“Without conditions, China is helping us to implement our government policy of service delivery to the people,” Said Jemma Nunu Kumba, Acting Secretary General of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and South Sudan Minister of Wildlife and Tourism.
Minister Kumba said the implementation of this program resonates with her party vision, mission and objective. She added that primary health care is a big concern and appreciated China for helping them translate the party policy into government program. She said, Boma health initiative is a government plan to extend good health services to the communities where all can access quality medical service at the grassroots level.
“The Boma Health Initiative (BHI) which is similar to Chinese ‘Barefoot doctors systems’ during 19th century was initiated with the basic component of disease prevention and awareness creation at the community level,” said Kumba.
South Sudan Minister of Health, Dr. Riek Gai Kok said the President Kiir government is very thankful to President Xi Jinping for standing in solidarity with people of South Sudan despite four years of conflict.
“The Chinese government has been a great support in different areas of assistance. We have achieved some of the tangible results because of the good cooperation extended by the Beijing government,” Said Riek.
Dr. Riek explained that China responded to the Boma Health Initiative because it is the vision of the ruling party and China is determined to improve the welfare of South Sudanese.
Speaking late Thursday during the handover ceremony of 24 containers of medical supplies, equipment and tools, Chinese Ambassador to Juba, He Xiangdong, said the donation worth more than 10 million U.S. dollars, came from President Jinping’s government to support South Sudan Boma Health Initiative.
“Doctors and medical personnel cannot be successful, if they are not fully equipped with medical supplies, equipment and the necessary tools. For that very reason, we are bringing this assistance in order for doctors in South Sudan to have their own weapons to fight diseases amongst the citizens,” Said Xiangdong.
The Chinese envoy said, China will always support South Sudan government in areas of health, humanitarian and education as the country works towards achieving sustainable peace.
“The items include surgical services such as: microscopes, incubators, bicycles, delivery beds, and communications devices such as cell phones,” He said.
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