A Chinese medical team has donated essential medical supplies to the University of Juba Clinic as the facility faces rising cases of hepatitis B and C, with about 200 patients currently receiving care, university officials said.
The donation is part of an ongoing partnership aimed at strengthening healthcare services for students, university staff and surrounding communities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Dr. Chan Deng Malual, acting dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Juba, said the clinic is under increasing strain due to growing student enrollment, an expanding workforce and rising demand from nearby communities.
“Because of economic hardships, many community members seek treatment at our clinic,” Malual said. “This has led to a sharp increase in patient numbers and frequent shortages of consumables and laboratory reagents.”
He said a memorandum of understanding signed with the Chinese medical team paved the way for the donation of laboratory equipment and continued joint clinical work. Chinese medical professionals now visit the clinic weekly to consult patients alongside university staff.
The donated supplies include syringes, blood collection tubes, probe-cleaning solutions, laboratory analyzer reagents, and diagnostic test kits for malaria, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and Helicobacter pylori.
Malaria, typhoid fever and hepatitis are among the most common diseases treated at the clinic, Malual said, noting that hepatitis remains a major public health concern due to its role in severe liver disease and death. He stressed the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for patients who test negative.
The University of Juba Clinic provides free healthcare services on a non-discriminatory basis, Malual said.
“Whoever comes first is treated first — students, staff or community members,” he added.
The university also welcomed the Chinese medical team’s commitment to share China’s experience in eliminating malaria.
“China has achieved zero malaria, while malaria remains endemic in South Sudan,” Malual said. “We look forward to learning from China’s strategies and working toward a future of zero malaria tolerance in our country.”
Dr. Zhang Erqing, head of the Chinese medical team, said the partnership aims to gradually transform the university clinic into a key medical service center in the area.
“Through gradual improvements, we aim to enhance the medical environment at the clinic while extending quality healthcare services to neighboring communities,” Zhang said.
The collaboration is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health through Juba Teaching Hospital.
Meanwhile, Dr. Susan Peter Ladu, director of the University Clinic, described the donation as a significant step toward improving diagnostic capacity.
“This contribution follows extensive discussions on how to address persistent shortages of medicines and laboratory reagents,” Ladu said. “It represents an important first step.”
She noted, however, that supplies are often exhausted within a month due to high patient volumes, sometimes forcing the clinic to seek emergency support from the Ministry of Health or university authorities.
“I sincerely thank the Chinese medical team for their continued cooperation — not only through donations but also through hands-on patient care,” Ladu said. “Their support is vital to improving the quality and continuity of our services.”