The South Sudan Doctors’ Union (SSDU) has called on the government to urgently step up its response to a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak that has spread across several states, leaving thousands at risk.
According to health officials, the outbreak — declared in October — has so far claimed 700 lives and resulted in over 40,800 confirmed cases nationwide. Many patients are still receiving treatment, while others have recovered.
SSDU Secretary-General Luka Dut emphasized that safeguarding public health is a fundamental responsibility of the government. He stressed the urgent need for the Health Ministry to secure funding for essential medical supplies to assist affected communities.
“Governments are established to protect the health of their people. The Ministry of Health must be supported to procure the necessary resources to fight this outbreak,” Dut told Anadolu during a phone interview from Juba.
Dut acknowledged that vaccination campaigns and case management efforts had helped reduce transmission in parts of Unity State, including Rubkona and Mayom counties. However, he raised concerns over a sharp rise in cases in the Pibor Administrative Area, describing the situation as critical.
The SSDU also issued a statement warning that the outbreak has evolved into a humanitarian crisis, worsened by limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and an overstretched healthcare system. It noted that vulnerable groups — including children, pregnant women, and the elderly — are disproportionately affected.
“We urge the government to strengthen its support for the Health Ministry, enabling the provision of essential supplies and the deployment of rapid response teams nationwide,” the statement read.
The union reiterated that cholera is a preventable disease, stressing that no one should die from an illness that can be contained with clean water, proper sanitation, and timely medical care.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry last week advised the public to strictly follow preventive measures, particularly as the rainy season approaches — a period known to heighten the risk of waterborne diseases.
The outbreak was initially declared in Renk, a northern town serving as a key entry point for refugees and returnees fleeing the conflict in neighboring Sudan.