Yei to Launch Annual Mass Drug Distribution Campaign to Reach Thousands

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) -Yei River County is set to begin its annual Mass Drug Distribution campaign next Monday, targeting thousands of residents in an effort to prevent and control Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The campaign was announced during a County-Level Advocacy Meeting organized by the Yei River County Health Department in collaboration with the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

Speaking during a meeting in Yei on Tuesday, National Ministry of Health Supervisor Michael Salah said the nationwide programme is targeting more than 387,000 people, with about 310,000 expected to benefit directly from the Mass Drug Distribution exercise.

Salah said about 1,500 community volunteers will take part in the campaign after receiving training ahead of the exercise, which is scheduled to begin on 21 September 2026.

He noted that the campaign is conducted once every year and has achieved significant progress in Yei River County over the past four years.

According to the supervisor, treatment coverage in the county increased from just 24.1 percent when the programme began in 2022 to 80 percent in 2025, the highest level recorded so far.

He attributed the success to the dedication of community volunteers who help deliver medicines to people at the grassroots level, including those living in hard-to-reach areas.

Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo called on community members, local leaders and stakeholders to work together to ensure the campaign reaches all eligible beneficiaries across the county.

Meanwhile, Yei River County Health Director Simon Sebit Musoga appealed for stronger collaboration among health workers, volunteers, communities and partners to guarantee the success of the campaign.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of local ownership and community participation to ensure health services reach residents living beyond the town centre.

Health authorities are now urging communities to cooperate with health workers and volunteers when the exercise begins next week.

The annual campaign is expected to strengthen efforts to prevent Neglected Tropical Diseases and improve health outcomes across Yei River County.