The African Development Bank says it is financing the construction of the second phase of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Juba, South Sudan.
The bank had earlier raised a $4.2m grant to support the country’s emergency response for COVID-19 and to strengthen the health system capacity for emergency preparedness.
According to the AfDB in a statement on Friday, the new project, comprising infrastructure, furniture and equipment, would strengthen preparedness and response capacities of the country for public health emergencies, in line with the ‘2005 International Health Regulations.’
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AfDB’s Country Manager for South Sudan, Benedict Kanu, said, “The support provided by the bank was yet another testimony of its growing commitment to closely work with the government of South Sudan, a valued shareholder of the bank, and other partners, to assist in building health system capacity for emergency preparedness in the country.”
Kanu further reiterated the bank’s commitment to inclusive development in Africa.
In addition to AfDB’s fund, the World Health Organisation is also procuring an oxygen plant and vehicles to support the government’s Coronavirus Disease response.
“Having the right infrastructure in place is important. It is equally important to have the right health policy and programme, so that we can better plan, prepare and respond to everyone’s health needs,” the WHO Representative for South Sudan, Dr. Olushayo Olu, said.
While appreciating the gesture, South Sudan’s Minister of Health, Elizabeth Yol, said, “By putting our collective efforts into a PHEOC project, the Ministry of Health will be better placed to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and public health emergencies of international concern.”
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