Ebola Team Arrives in Yei for Surveillance Training

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A national Ebola preparedness team has arrived in Yei River County to train local surveillance officers and strengthen response efforts. The team from Juba is expected to work with county health authorities as Yei Civil Hospital continues to serve as a referral facility for the Greater Yei region and patients from across the border.

The County Director of Health, Simon Musoga, said the national team had arrived in Yei to support the county’s Ebola preparedness activities. Musoga commended the County Commissioner, Samuel Henry Malimbo, for cooperating with the Ebola surveillance task forces and supporting efforts to strengthen preparedness in the county.

Welcoming the team from Juba, Malimbo said the security situation in Yei remains peaceful, describing the local communities as generally calm and non violent.

He called on the visiting team to work closely with Yei River County health authorities in strengthening Ebola preparedness, particularly because Yei Civil Hospital receives patients from neighbouring areas, including communities across the border.

The Commissioner also called for greater support to the hospital’s laboratory services, including additional technical expertise and equipment, to enable the facility to operate more effectively.

Malimbo further urged the county health department to identify and support students to undertake X-ray and radiography training in Juba, saying this would help build a new generation of qualified personnel and address staffing needs at Yei Civil Hospital.

He also raised concerns about the need for proper occupational safety measures for personnel working with X-ray equipment and called for adherence to professional health and safety standards.

The Commissioner said the county Ebola task force continues to hold weekly meetings to review preparedness activities, surveillance updates and emerging concerns.

Martin Bidal, a surveillance officer, stressed the importance of cooperation among health partners and other stakeholders in strengthening disease preparedness and response.

The visiting national team is expected to conduct surveillance training for members of the Ebola preparedness task forces in Yei. Malimbo called on IOM and other partners to support and coordinate the training in collaboration with the county health authorities.

In a related development, the Commissioner  announced that Saturday, 5th September 2026, will be observed as a cleaning campaign day across Yei River County.

He called on residents, businesses, institutions and other stakeholders to participate in the exercise as part of efforts to improve sanitation and maintain a clean environment in Yei.

The Commissioner also warned that vehicles found loitering or obstructing activities during the exercise could face action by security authorities in accordance with applicable county regulations.

He cited penalties of up to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 South Sudanese pounds, about 154 US dollars, while stressing the need for residents to cooperate with authorities during the campaign.

The Press Unit of the Office of the County Commissioner in Yei River County confirmed the developments in a statement issued by Press Secretary James Innocent.