(Kapoeta) – Health authorities in Eastern Equatoria State have launched a new Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign to control the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases, following an outbreak that has led to several deaths in South Sudan this year. The campaign began in Kapoeta South County, a region identified as high risk due to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.
The vaccination drive was formally launched by a high level government delegation comprising the Minister of Health, Sarah Cleto Rial, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Josephine Napwon and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Population.
Speaking during the launch, Minister Sarah Cleto encouraged local residents to prioritise hygiene and cleanliness as the first line of defence against cholera. She noted that while the vaccine is a helpful tool, behavioural change is essential in preventing new infections.
Minister Napwon also addressed the community, acknowledging the environmental and logistical challenges facing healthcare providers, particularly in remote areas like Kapoeta South. She praised the efforts of health workers and urged residents to cooperate with medical teams administering the vaccine.
Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, called on community leaders to support the campaign and to spread awareness about disease prevention.
He said traditional leaders, elders, and religious figures have a role to play in encouraging households to accept the vaccine and adopt safe practices such as boiling drinking water and improving waste disposal.
The cholera outbreak in South Sudan has affected several states in recent months, putting pressure on an already fragile healthcare system. Experts say low levels of sanitation, flooding, and displacement have made it easier for diseases like cholera to spread.
The Oral Cholera Vaccine campaign in Kapoeta South County is part of a national strategy supported by international partners, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The campaign also includes awareness sessions in schools, markets, and public spaces to educate people on how cholera spreads and how it can be prevented.
Authorities hope the combined approach of vaccination and hygiene education will significantly reduce new infections. So far, the Ministry of Health has not released a full nationwide toll, but local health officials report that dozens of lives have been lost since the outbreak began in early 2025.
