Governor visits HealthNet TPO office in South-Sudan
On January 16th the Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBGS), Mark Nyipoch, visited the HealthNet TPO compound in Mapel, South-Sudan. It was the first day of the training of surveyors for carrying out the projects baseline survey. For the governor it was his first visit to Mapel since he was appointed two years ago. Mark Nyipoch was accompanied by the US Ambassador to SouthSudan, State ministers and high ranking SPLA/M officials.
During his visit to the surveyors’ training class the governor expressed his gratitude for the work HealthNet TPO is doing in Jur (Wau) River County. HealthNet TPO runs a Health Systems Development Programme in Wau County focused on improved institutional capacity of health authorities (staff), increased utilization of preventive and curative services and community involvement in health service delivery.
The health system in Southern Sudan is considered as one of the least developed in the world. Most health services are provided by international NGOs and UN agencies and focus on humanitarian assistance. Costs are high with a heavy reliance on expatriates and air transport of personnel and supplies. The regional HealthNet TPO programme, that is implemented in South-Sudan, Burundi and DRC, aims to support the transition from emergency programming to a long-term health systems development approach. More information on this programme at: www.healthnettpoug.org
HealthNet TPO Program Manager, Mr.Stephen Wori, emphasized the need for the State Government to take up ownership of the health facilities in Mapel in the long run. He explained that HealthNet TPO is not in Jur River to run the health facilities but to support government and the local community to own them.
During his stay in Mapel the governor also visited the proposed site for the SPLA Military Training School, Medic (Shea-nut oil Project) and the local Save the Children compound.
