The authorities of Abyei Special Administrative Area (ASAA) over the weekend confirmed receipt of 190,000 vials of cholera vaccines from the national health ministry in Juba.
A local official, however, said they had requested 600,000 doses of the vaccine, a number approximately equal to the population of the inhabitants of the area, including refugees.
Last week, Abyei Health Minister Dr. Ayom Kurchiek reported that 19 people died of cholera and warned that more might succumb in remote areas that lack health facilities. He told Radio Tamzuj on Saturday that they received vaccines for cholera, pneumonia, malaria, and tuberculosis.
“We are on our way to Abyei as we have received 190,000 cholera vaccines, and this will vaccinate 190,000 people, so it is not enough because we had requested 600,000, equivalent to the current estimated population of Abyei,” he said. “I appreciate the national minister of health and her team for the great efforts and for providing vaccines in a short time.”
According to Dr. Kurchiek, cholera is a simple disease that can be controlled, and one of the ways is to get vaccinated. He encouraged people to take the vaccine.
“We will start the vaccination campaign next week and people should not fear the side effects of the vaccines, which might cause slight vomiting, headache, fever, or slight pain,” he said.
Minister Kurchiek said his ministry has already started training mobilizers and vaccinators.
Meanwhile, Abyei Health Minister Yuohna Akol confirmed the delivery of the vaccines and thanked National Health Minister Sarah Cleto.
“The vaccines arrived in Abyei, and we are grateful to the national health minister for the supply of vaccines because Abyei is one of the areas affected by cholera,” he said.