An advocacy group – Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) – has called on the National Ministry of Health to investigate the suspected measles outbreak in Ayod County of Jonglei State where 30 children are reported dead of measles.
In a press release seen by The Radio Community, the group’s executive director, Ter Manyang Gatwech said the national government should respond to the allegations urgently given that Ayod county is inaccessible due to lack of roads.
“This disease is a deadly disease that kills vulnerable children within a few seconds. Ayod County has poor health facilities due to lack of a road network that makes it difficult for National NGOs, Local and National Government to respond on time when such cases are happening,” Manyang said.
The press release quoted Ayod County Commissioner, James Chuol Jiek Bol, saying:
“In the islands of Hat, Pakur, and Pakuem, there are about 1,072 cases including 30 deaths while 800 cases including 25 deaths were reported in the swampy area of Nyawit. There are also 485 cases in Goak Payam and 500 cases including 9 deaths in Pagil.”
Manyang said health is a human right and it is a legal obligation of the government to ensure access to timely, acceptable, and affordable health care without discrimination.
“The right to health must be enjoyed without discrimination on the grounds of race, age, ethnicity or any other factor. Non-discrimination and equality require states to take steps to redress any discriminatory law, practice or policy,” he said.
“Ayod has been negated from National Cake since 2005 up to date by the Central Government and therefore, CPA requested the Transitional Government of National Unity to build health centers in Ayod so that citizens will be proud of their government. Social services are mandatory, not an obligation for any functioning government in the world.”
Media reports indicate that Ayod town, Kwachdeng, Mogoag, Wau, Khorwai, Pajiek, and Pagoang missed last month’s measles vaccination.