By Sabri Dibaco
The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health has officially opened a two-day free medical camp and blood donation drive at Mahad Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC), aimed at bringing essential healthcare services closer to the local community.
The medical outreach was organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of South Sudan in collaboration with the South Sudan Doctors Union and the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health.
Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, Joyce Bakwa Agole, officially opened the exercise, which is providing free medical services to residents of Mahad during the two-day campaign.
During the opening ceremony, the Chairperson of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Sudan, Dr. Simon Gore, welcomed Minister Bakwa and assured residents that medical services would be available throughout the exercise.
“We welcome Joyce Bakwa to officiate this medical camp and assure the community of the availability of free medical services throughout the two-day exercise,” Dr. Gore said.
Dr. Gore emphasised the importance of cooperation among health professional associations, government institutions, and development partners in improving access to healthcare at the community level.
He said such partnerships can help bring essential health services closer to communities that may face difficulties accessing healthcare facilities.
Minister Joyce Bakwa Agole commended the Pharmaceutical Society of South Sudan and the South Sudan Doctors Union for organising the medical camp and blood donation drive.
The minister described the initiative as an important contribution toward improving access to healthcare services for communities in Central Equatoria State.
“The medical camp and blood drive are an important contribution to improving access to healthcare services,” Bakwa said.
She encouraged the organisers and other health partners to consider extending similar medical outreach programs to other Primary Health Care Centres across the state, particularly in communities requiring additional health support.
Bakwa also reaffirmed the state Ministry of Health’s willingness to work with professional health associations and other partners to improve healthcare delivery.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to supporting professional associations and partners willing to collaborate with the government in delivering healthcare services to the people of Central Equatoria State,” she said.
The minister further stressed that cooperation between government and health professionals remains important in strengthening the state’s health system.
“Partnerships between the government and health professionals remain essential in strengthening the health system,” Bakwa said.
The inclusion of a blood donation drive forms part of the two-day health outreach, providing an opportunity for members of the public to contribute blood while accessing medical services.
Blood donation is an important component of healthcare systems because adequate blood supplies are needed for emergency treatment, surgery, childbirth complications, trauma cases and patients with severe anaemia and other conditions.
In settings where health facilities face shortages of blood and other essential medical resources, community blood donation campaigns can help strengthen local blood supplies and raise public awareness about voluntary donation.
Primary health care centres serve as an important entry point into the health system, particularly for communities that depend on nearby facilities for basic medical consultations, treatment, maternal and child health services, disease prevention, and health education.
South Sudan’s health system continues to face challenges, including shortages of health workers, medicines, and medical supplies; limited infrastructure; and inadequate access to healthcare in some communities.
Partnerships between government institutions, health professional associations, and development partners therefore remain an important part of efforts to expand healthcare coverage.