New Health Facility Targets Emergency Child Care in Western Equatoria

(NZARA COUNTY) – A new pediatric health facility for child healthcare has officially opened at St. Theresa Mission Hospital in Nzara County, Western Equatoria State.

The Graham Pediatric Centre was inaugurated on Friday through a partnership between the Catholic Diocese of Tambura-Yambio (CDTY), the Sudan Relief Fund USA and the state government.

Hundreds of local residents, government officials, health workers and church leaders gathered for the event, which was celebrated as a milestone in the provision of medical services to children in Nzara and surrounding areas.

The newly established centre is expected to deliver specialised care for children in critical condition, provide emergency stabilisation, and support recovery for paediatric cases. It will also serve as a referral point for nearby health facilities.

Dr Taban Loponi Charles, Medical Director at St. Theresa Mission Hospital and an obstetrician-gynaecologist, said the facility’s expansion comes with increased staffing to ensure efficient service delivery. He reported that the hospital now has 17 nurses, 18 midwives, four clinical officers responsible for outpatient care, two anaesthetic officers and four laboratory technologists.

David Dettoni, Vice President of the Sudan Relief Fund USA, expressed his organisation’s long standing commitment to healthcare development in South Sudan. He emphasised that the Graham Pediatric Centre was not a short term initiative, but the result of years of planning in collaboration with partners both internationally and locally.

“This is not just a project we fund and walk away from. Our founder in Australia was part of this vision. It was designed with lasting impact in mind,” he said.

Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State, welcomed the opening of the centre and described it as a beacon of hope for the region’s children. He said the state government remained committed to supporting healthcare efforts that improve the lives of local communities.

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tambura-Yambio, who also oversees the Community Development Programme (CODEP), extended gratitude to all donors and supporters for helping to turn the project into reality. He said their contributions were directly transforming lives in Nzara.