Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The national health ministry, UN agencies, and partners over the weekend launched a nationwide campaign to distribute 9.5 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets in what officials described as the biggest malaria prevention drive in the country’s history.
The national launch was held Saturday in Gurei, on the outskirts of Juba City, as the country marked World Malaria Day and renewed calls for urgent action against a disease that remains one of the deadliest health threats in South Sudan.
Government officials, health partners, and community leaders attended the event, where speakers said malaria continues to kill thousands, burden families, and strain already fragile health services.
Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s representative in South Sudan, said malaria remains the leading killer of children in the country and accounts for about 30 percent of child hospital admissions.
She said the campaign could significantly reduce infections and deaths if families use the nets every night.
“These nets are shields against death,” Skinner said, urging households to hang them properly and sleep under them consistently.
According to UNICEF, nearly 7 million nets are already in the country, with deliveries continuing to states, counties, and remote communities.
Central Equatoria State Health Minister Joyce Bakwa said malaria affects families across South Sudan and should be treated as a common enemy.
“This day should not only be observed on the calendar,” she stated. “It must be a day we confront a challenge affecting our families.”
Bakwa urged mothers and pregnant women to use treated nets, ensure children receive malaria vaccines, and seek treatment early when symptoms appear.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oromo Francis, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, said malaria remains a serious public health problem but noted progress in the fight against the disease.
“Malaria is a problem, everyone knows malaria, but together, we can, together we must,” he said.
He cited advances in prevention and treatment, including improved mosquito nets, vaccines, and newer medicines.
The campaign in Central Equatoria State is being implemented by Health Link South Sudan, which is also overseeing distribution in Eastern Equatoria State.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ojok Agustin Alex, Juba County health coordinator for Health Link, said digital registration, barcode scanning, and GPS tracking would be used to improve accountability and ensure nets reach intended households.
He said community teams would also educate residents after previous distributions found some nets were misused for gardens, livestock, and household repairs instead of malaria prevention.
At the first household visited during the launch in Gurei’s Muraba Saba area, a resident, Mama Muna Tuong, received five nets for her family.
“I am very happy,” she said. “It is the first time people have come to my house.”
The campaign is supported by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme. The Global Fund is financing the initiative, while the Against Malaria Foundation donated the nets.
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