Juba, South Sudan, 12 June 2020: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Sudan, in immediate response to COVID-19 and in line with our mandate to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities, 10 ventilators and 3000 Xpert Xpress COVID-19 test kits to the Ministry of Health.

UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen and the Minister of Health Hon. Elizabeth Achuei Yol was present at the handover in the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Juba.

“The new test kits will release the pressure at the testing centre and will be distributed to the states across the country. We are also delighted to receive the ventilators as they will be vital in providing lifesaving services during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue working with UNDP,” said Hon. Elizabeth Achuei Yol, Minister of Health.

The ten ventilators are portable. In the meantime, the ventilators will be placed in Juba, and based on the evolving requirements they will be sent to the states within a 24 hour turnaround time.

The 3000 Xpert Xpress Covid-19 tests are the first batch of test kits to be delivered to South Sudan. 6000 more test kits are expected to be delivered in the coming months. The tests will simplify the COVID-19 testing process and reduce the turnaround time to 45 minutes.

“We are determined to support and equip the Government of South Sudan to respond to COVID-19 outbreak. Aligned to the national response plan, the handover of the ventilators and test kits will advance the country’s response to COVID-19. Our support is focused on strengthening institutions in South Sudan,” said Kamil Kamaluddeen, Resident Representative, UNDP South Sudan.

The kits have been procured as a part of the national response plan for the ‘Decentralization of COVID-19 testing using the existing GeneXpert platforms’ through the Global Fund managed by UNDP. In addition, the Global Fund is procuring Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), sample shipment containers, biohazard bags, and waste containers while also supporting the training of health personnel and field supervision missions slated in the coming weeks.

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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Mrinalini Santhanam, Communications, UNDP South Sudan

Tel: +211920580210

Email: mrinalini.santhanam@undp.org