(JUBA) – South Sudan Opens New Vaccine Storage Centre to Boost Immunisation Services
The government of South Sudan has officially launched a new vaccine storage facility in Central Equatoria State, a development expected to significantly improve immunisation services across the region. The facility, part of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), is located in Juba and was inaugurated on Tuesday, marking what officials described as a major step forward for the country’s public health system.
The facility constructed by UNICEF under the Joint Resilience Project (JRP) and funded by the German government through the KfW Development Bank is designed to address persistent challenges in vaccine storage, transport and cold chain maintenance. Officials say the improved infrastructure will help maintain vaccine quality and increase immunisation coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, Nejua Juma Mursal, highlighted the importance of the project during the inauguration. She said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent disease and protect public health, especially in a country facing resource shortages and limited access to basic health services.
“Vaccination is the main tool for primary disease prevention and one of the most effective public health measures,” Mursal said. She noted that the new storage facility will play a key role in ensuring vaccines remain potent throughout their journey to the people who need them.
The minister also pointed out that South Sudan’s health sector continues to face many challenges, including limited funding, poor drug supply chains, and high operational costs. Strengthening the cold chain system, she explained, is essential to reaching children and women in remote communities.
Governor of Central Equatoria, Gen. Rabbi Mujung Emmanuel, described the facility’s opening as a “significant milestone” in the region’s efforts to meet both national and international health standards. He said the centre, which includes several storage halls and training offices, will enhance the skills of healthcare workers and improve the overall performance of immunisation teams.
UNICEF representative Andrew Etsano echoed these sentiments, stating that the facility was a strategic investment to ensure vaccines are stored in optimal conditions and distributed efficiently. He said UNICEF will continue to provide the country with both vaccines and proper cold chain support.
Dr. Mutale Nsakashalo Senkwe, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in South Sudan, said the new storage facility will contribute to achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasised that a well-maintained cold chain is critical for delivering quality immunisation services.
According to UNICEF, the new storage facility is expected to benefit:
| Category | Estimated Beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Children under 1 year | 80,000 |
| Pregnant women | 100,000 |
| Women of reproductive age | 400,000 |
Over 170 people are expected to be employed to support operations at the facility.
