Africa-Press – South-Sudan. By John Agok
The East Africa Community (EAC) Secretariat in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and both Ministry of Water, Irrigation and the Ministry of Health are mulling the establishment of water yards at three entry points, in a bid to prevent communicable diseases in the Country.
Partner (IOM) the Project Implementer, EAC delegation, and government over the weekend discussed joint Health Screening meeting in Juba.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director-General for planning in the National Ministry of Water and irrigation, Alex Liki revealed that the structure of establishing handwashing facilities at Juba International Airport, Nimule, and Wau Water entry point is on cost, adding that it’s essential to deter the spread of Covid-19 among the migrants from East African Countries.
“The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Ministry of Health are focal points to supervise the implementation of these water yards by IOM as a partner. The Water Ministry will facilitate the work of handwashing facilities accordingly”, he stated.
He also emphasized on the vitality of intervention at the border points by four partners through such initiative, since this will facilitate and boost the trade among EAC nations that include; Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.
“These five Countries are to uphold such projects in order to prevent communicable diseases including Covid-19. This joint health screening at South Sudan entry points will enable us to fight covid-19 and other communicable diseases,” he added.
However, the Director-General for Preventive Health Service in the National Ministry of Health,John Rumunu disclosed that, such an initiative will help to reduce the backdrop of trucks due to Covid-19 test screening of truck drivers at the border points. He also revealed, the health ministry ensures screening of those truck drivers who come with negative PCR results.
Rumunu advised people to adhere to measures and ensure that, any person at entry point to spend 72 hours, lauding this effort as testing cost of health screening will reduce.
Eng. LadislangLeeridas,EAC Head of Environment and Natural Resources commended efforts of partners including EAC Secretariat in embarking on this project. He assured the citizens from the bloc trade boost, since the joint project of health screening facility will speed movement of goods in all entry points.
The EAC together with German (GIZ) fund the project implemented by (IOM)
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