The authorities in Western Equatoria State have appealed for urgent financial and medical support from humanitarian partners to strengthen the ongoing response to Mpox cases reported in several counties across the state.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Western Equatoria State Minister of Health James Abdallah Arona said they continue to register confirmed and suspected Mpox cases, with Yambio County being the most affected area.
He said Yambio County has so far recorded 24 confirmed Mpox cases, and that there are eight suspected cases currently under investigation, while additional cases have also been reported in other counties.
Arona said the state government, in collaboration with health partners, has intensified surveillance and prevention measures at key border entry points to prevent further spread of the disease.
“We have deployed rapid response teams and health personnel at major border points such as Nabiabai, Sakure, Nabanga, and along the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic,” he said. “We are also planning to establish another screening center in Maridi County because it borders Congo.”
The minister explained that the screening centers are aimed at monitoring and examining travellers entering and leaving the country in order to detect suspected cases early and prevent community transmission.
“When the disease spreads into the community, many people become vulnerable,” he stated. “Right now, our people are busy in their gardens, and every household depends on farming activities.”
Arona revealed that inadequate funding remains one of the major challenges affecting the state’s Mpox response efforts. He said there is an urgent need for support to facilitate public awareness campaigns, transportation, screening activities, and incentives for frontline health workers and volunteers.
Last week, the state health ministry held a coordination meeting with partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, CMMB, AMREF Health Africa, and other humanitarian agencies, to discuss the ongoing response and existing gaps. Participants proposed that the national health ministry engage international donors and health agencies to mobilize emergency funding support for Western Equatoria State.
“We received some supplies of drugs last week, but the medicines are not enough to treat the large number of affected people,” Minister Arona said. “We are requesting our partners to lobby their donors to support us either financially or through medical equipment, drugs, and operational tools needed for the success of these activities.”
He emphasized that humanitarian partners continue to play a critical role in supporting government institutions during health emergencies and disease outbreaks.
Relatedly, Western Equatoria State formed an emergency committee to strengthen Ebola preparedness and prevention measures across the state following an outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Acting Governor Alison Barnaba told the press on Monday that together with the national health ministry and humanitarian partners, they have deployed response teams to border areas linking Western Equatoria State with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
“We have deployed teams to the borders to strengthen surveillance and raise awareness in the counties,” he said. “We are also coordinating preparedness measures to ensure the disease does not enter the state.”
Health Minister Arona confirmed that no suspected or confirmed Ebola cases have so far been recorded in the state.
Representatives from partner organizations, including the World Health Organization and CMMB, also held a coordination meeting on Monday to reinforce preparedness and response strategies following the Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Congo.
The state health ministry urged residents to remain calm, report suspected symptoms early, and cooperate with health authorities as efforts continue to contain Mpox and prevent any possible Ebola outbreak.
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