Kenya’s minister for Medical Services arrived yesterday in Juba to sign a MoU, a Memorandum of Understanding with the ministry of health to build an oxygen plant and develop a medicines supply chain.
Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o told the press at Juba international airport that revamping South Sudan’s pharmaceutical chain comes top in the MoU.A 2011 survey conducted by the ministry of health indicates that lack of monitoring units have allowed the smuggling of fake drugs into the country.
With an established operational drug supply system, there are hopes that health risks twinned to low quality drugs will be brought to an end.
Mr Nyong’o said the MoU comes after one year of discussions and it also covers training, hospital management and referral system assistance.
National health minister Michael Milly Hussein said the MoU will also pave the way for the construction of a very much needed oxygen plant.
Thuou Loi, the director general of Medical services at the ministry of health, said that South Sudan imports its oxygen from Uganda, and the annual bill goes beyond 400 thousand US dollars.
Dr Milly said the MoU that was signed today will be implemented as soon as possible.