National Health Minister on Tuesday laid a foundation stone for maternity ward complex at Torit Civil Hospital in Imotong State.
Dr Riek Gai Kok comments Imotong for being the first among the 28 new states to lead development initiative, Radio Emmanuel reports.
The minister praises Torit for leading the struggle for independence of South Sudan and remaining peaceful after 2013 conflict.
Imotong State Governor, Nartisio Manir Loluke, calls for change of life in the New Year.
He says Imotong State and the country at large have received a lot of gifts.
The governor also calls for enlightenment of the rural population on the use of tablets.
He adds that some patients believe only on injection for treatment.
Loluke criticizes the habit of seeking intervention of witchdoctors instead of medical treatment at health facilities.
The governor asks the National Health Minister to lobby for equipment to improve service delivery at Torit Referral Hospital.
He says the facility constructed in 1947, lacks X-ray, has dilapidated structures and poorly equipped theatre.
The Government of Canada funds the construction of the maternity complex ward at Torit Referral Hospital through the World Health Organization.