Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The newly constructed Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccine storage facility has been officially inaugurated in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, marking a major milestone in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
The facility is expected to significantly improve vaccine storage capacity, maintain cold chain integrity, and support routine immunization programs across the state.
More than 170 staff members are expected to be employed at the facility, which is part of efforts to boost health system resilience in South Sudan.
Constructed by UNICEF under the Joint Resilience Project (JRP) and funded by the German government through the KfW Development Bank, the facility aims to address long-standing challenges in vaccine storage and distribution.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Juba on Tuesday, Nejua Juma Mursal, Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of the facility in advancing the state’s immunization efforts.
“Vaccination is the main tool for the primary prevention of diseases and remains one of the most effective public health measures available,” she stated.
“Community involvement is critical in achieving high vaccine coverage and protecting our people from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
She explained that the state faces multiple challenges, including a weak health system, limited resources, poor access to remote areas, an inadequate drug supply, and an overall high-cost operating environment.
She believed strengthening the cold chain system is essential for preserving vaccine potency and expanding reach to underserved communities.
For his part, Gen. Rabbi Mujung Emmanuel, Governor of Central Equatoria, described the inauguration as a “significant milestone” in the government’s mission to improve public health.
“This facility will ensure safe, effective vaccine storage and distribution and help us align with national and global immunization goals,” Mujung said.
He said the storage facility features several large halls and offices intended for training healthcare workers—an investment that is expected to enhance the capacity and performance of immunization teams.
Andrew Etsano, representative of the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said the U.N. agency will provide potent vaccines and proper storage facilities to health centers.
“The construction of this store is a strategic intervention to ensure vaccines are stored in optimal conditions and distributed efficiently. It will contribute significantly to health system strengthening,” Etsano.
Dr. Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, WHO representative in South Sudan, noted the facility will help address critical challenges in vaccine storage and cold chain management.
“The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is vital to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals. This store will enhance the availability and quality of immunization services across Central Equatoria,” Senkwe said.
According to UNICEF, an estimated 80,000 children under one year of age, 100,000 pregnant women, and 400,000 women of reproductive age across the six counties of Central Equatoria will benefit from the immunization services supported by this facility.
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