The members of the Lopit Community in Torit, Kapoeta, Juba, and the diaspora donated medical supplies over the weekend to help combat a cholera outbreak in the Imehejek Administrative Area of Eastern Equatoria State.
According to local authorities, about 19 people have succumbed to the disease, and over 250 have been admitted.
Ambrose Oyet Albino, the chairperson of the Lopit Community, told Radio Tamazuj that the donated medical supplies have been sent to Imehejek and that people are still contributing.
“When we got the information about the cholera outbreak in Lopit, we were able to mobilize ourselves in Juba, Torit, Kapoeta, and other parts of the country to join hands to contribute something financially to help buy medicines,” he explained. “The medicines were bought and have reached the destination to help the cholera victims.”
“We are still contributing, not only to fight cholera, but for the development of Lopit,” Oyet added.
Meanwhile, Abala Masmino Saverio, the Imehejek County Hospital Administrator, confirmed receipt of the donated medical items. He said the supplies include Ringer’s lactate, oral rehydration salts (ORS), ciprofloxacin, detergents, and vaccines, among others.
“It is the cry of the community to save lives at Imehejek County hospital and other hotspot areas, and people contributed medical supplies to curb the cholera outbreak,” Masmino said. “They (medicines) will not be enough, and we are requesting the health partners to help and mobilize resources, and also supplement what the community has contributed.”
For his part, Dr. Elijo Omoro Tahir, the Acting Director General of Health in the state, lauded the Lopit Community for supporting the government in delivering medical supplies.
“We appreciate the community of Lopit for what they have done. The government has sent a team, and Lopit Community, I think from Juba, had mobilized items and sent them over to Torit and which we have sent to the scene,” he disclosed. “We are already handling the situation, and we have sent a team to the Lopit area. We have even mobilized resources and sent them there, so we are doing our best, but any resources coming from anywhere are welcome. I think the situation is under control.”