By Hou Akot Hou
The National Ministry of Health, in partnership with international organisations including the World Health Organisation and Gavi, has launched a large-scale mosquito net distribution campaign across parts of Warrap State to help prevent malaria.
The campaign officially began this week in two counties —Twic County and Tonj South County as part of broader efforts to reduce malaria infections during the rainy season.
Warrap State health official Deng Akok told reporters that distribution activities started on Wednesday, with teams moving door to door in targeted communities.
According to Akok, the program experienced delays due to logistical limitations, particularly a shortage of smartphones used by enumerators to register beneficiaries.
“The issue that caused the delay, forcing us to begin with only two counties, is that only 190 phones are available,” he explained. “The beneficiary information is stored on these devices, so they must also be reused in the remaining counties.”
Akok urged residents to properly use the mosquito nets while sleeping and warned against the misuse of the materials.
“The primary objective of this distribution is malaria prevention, but some people avoid using the nets properly,” he said. “Others use them for fishing, which undermines the purpose of the funding provided for this program.”
Meanwhile, Twic County Health Department Director James Garang Chuol confirmed to Mayardit FM that the campaign has already started in four payams within Twic County: Pan-Nyok, Ajak-Kuac, Akoc, and Aweng.
He added that the remaining two payams—Turalei and Wunrok—will be covered after the distribution teams complete registration and distribution in the first phase areas.
Health officials estimate the exercise will last approximately two weeks. Priority beneficiaries include children under five years old, pregnant women, and elderly people, all of whom are encouraged to sleep under mosquito nets consistently.
Authorities also indicated that the campaign is expected to expand to other parts of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region.
In neighboring Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, health officials are reportedly preparing for similar distribution efforts ahead of the peak malaria season.
Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death during South Sudan’s rainy season, with increased mosquito breeding contributing to higher transmission rates.