Latest news with #NorthernBahrElGhazal
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) supports efforts to protect inmates from cholera at Aweil Central Prison
Across South Sudan, tens of thousands of inmates are crammed into overcrowded prisons with dire living conditions, including poor sanitation and limited access to food, clean water and healthcare. In some locations male and female prisoners are housed in the same cells due to a lack of space, creating safety concerns and the risk of abuse. The Aweil Central Prison, in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, is not immune from this problem. Constructed with the capacity to house 150 inmates, it is now overwhelmed by more than 700 prisoners. In these conditions, disease can run rampant, particularly cholera, with more than 9300 cases already recorded in the region since the deadly outbreak began last year. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is responsible for monitoring prison environments, management, and the rights and wellbeing of inmates. After assessing conditions in the Aweil Central Prison, the mission's Rule of Law team requested prison authorities and the State Minister of Health to prioritize health services. 'We advocated very strongly for improved hygiene and sanitation for the prisoners, and particularly requested improved disease prevention because, if cholera takes erupts in this closed environment, it would be disastrous,' said UNMISS Corrections Advisor, Amina Kavirondo. As a result of this advocacy, all inmates and prison officers have now been vaccinated with the support of the World Health Organization and State Ministry of Health. 'Given the large number of inmates accommodated in such a crowded facility with dire living conditions, we were very worried about their exposure to disease and felt it was important to vaccinate the prisoners to prevent cholera taking hold,' said the Ministry of Health's immunization manager, Philip Malong Thiel. 'We were afraid because of the rumors that there were already cholera cases in the prison,' says one female inmate. 'I now feel prepared and protected after my vaccination.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Prison officers strengthen their respect for human rights through United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
'Peace begins with upholding everyone's rights, including prison inmates.' This was the core message from Corrections Adviser, Amina Kavirondo, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, at a workshop for 35 prison officers in Northern Bahr El Ghazal. 'It's also about ensuring proper management of prisons, including properly securing the perimeter, conducting security searches inside and at the entrance,' she said. 'We need all inmates to be safe, secure and fully respected.' The training aligns daily prison operations and security measures with the principles set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules, in honor of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who served 27 years in prison. The Acting Head of UNMISS' Field Office in Aweil, Alfred Zulu, emphasized the importance of upholding these international standards. 'We feel duty bound to ensure that men and women in uniform, as part of the justice system, are well equipped with understanding the norms, practices and procedures on how to handle inmates,' he said. The officers were equipped with knowledge to improve management of prisoners, minimize risks to their wellbeing and ensure their welfare, and to uphold human rights standards. 'Back at my workplace, I will implement the skills, particularly on the techniques of the safety of inmates and prison facilities,' said participant Sergeant Major Abuk Mawien. Participants were urged to promote consistency and sustainability in their approach. 'We, in the government, shall ensure that prisoners are treated fairly and that security measures are implemented with full respect for human dignity, safety and security of prisoners,' said Bol Akoon Akoon, Minister for Local Governance and Law Enforcement Agencies. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
06-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Sudan: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Ministry of Health launch newly constructed neonatal ward at Aweil State Hospital to improve care for sick newborns and premature babies
Seeking to improve access to medical care for sick, low birth weight, and premature babies in South Sudan's Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and South Sudan's Ministry of Health on 4 June 2025 opened a newly-built 40-bed neonatal inpatient ward at Aweil State Hospital. The new structure replaces the former 33-bed neonatal ward, which was frequently overcrowded with over 45 babies admitted at once and lacked enough room for critical care like resuscitation. "We had a neonatal ward, but it was always full or over its capacity," says Denis Mbae, MSF project coordinator for Aweil. "This new building, which is also closer to the maternity ward, will limit the distance that mothers have to walk to breastfeed their babies, while holding better equipment and amenities. "The new ward has increased capacity and improved design, with necessary space for incubators and life-support equipment to better support vulnerable infants whose vital organs may not be fully developed. Mothers will also have dedicated space for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), promoting skin-to-skin contact vital for low-birth-weight infants, which has proven to help improve health outcomes of babies in this condition. This specialized unit, the only one of its kind in the state, offers spacious environments designed for infection prevention, improved monitoring, and better working conditions for staff. The building will also provide a space for neonates under one roof, allowing for better follow-up and monitoring. MSF has supported Aweil State Hospital since 2008, providing paediatric and maternity services in a region where many people face challenges accessing timely care due to limited peripheral health services and difficulty in finding proper transportation. In 2024, MSF assisted in delivery of 7,664 babies at Aweil State Hospital. The upgrade reinforces MSF's commitment to enhancing access to health care for better outcomes for vulnerable families in South Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
