Healthcare professionals across the country on Monday gathered to prepare for the upcoming launch of two life-saving vaccines, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and the rotavirus vaccine, on 24 May.
The symposium was organized by South Sudanese Women in Medicine (SWAM) under the theme “Rallying South Sudan’s Healthcare Professionals for Humanly Possible PCV and ROTA Vaccine” as part of World Immunization Week celebrations.
The symposium brought together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, public health experts, and key partners from UNICEF and WHO to mobilize support for the official vaccine introduction scheduled for late May.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Koiti Emmily, co-founder and Executive Director of SWAM, described the day as a critical moment in South Sudan’s public health journey.
“After years of advocacy, perseverance, and planning, South Sudan is finally poised to introduce vaccines that will significantly reduce mortality and morbidity among children under five,” she said. “Pneumonia and diarrhea should not be death sentences for our children. Today is about forging a united front to ensure no child dies from a disease we can prevent.”
The symposium aimed to sensitize healthcare workers on the importance of the vaccines, foster collaboration across specialties, and reinforce public trust amid the shift in the vaccine launch date.
Dr. Atem Nathan, Director General of Primary Healthcare Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the urgency of the effort.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our healthcare journey. Malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea are the top three killers in South Sudan,” he stated. “Last year, the introduction of the malaria vaccine faced challenges due to low uptake. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes with PCV and the rotavirus vaccine.”
According to Dr. Atem, pilot programs in Upper Nile State have already demonstrated the vaccines’ effectiveness, notably reducing cases of pneumonia.
“This is our opportunity to scale up what we know works. Despite the challenges of vast geography, poor infrastructure, and cold chain limitations, we must work around them,” he stressed. “No child should be left behind. Every child vaccinated is a life saved, a family preserved, and a future secured.”
Highlighting the role of frontline healthcare workers, Mukwaya Douglas, Cold Chain Specialist Officer for UNICEF South Sudan, outlined the critical partnership between UNICEF, WHO, and the government.
“UNICEF is leading the logistics and social behaviour change efforts, while WHO handles policy guidelines and surveillance. Healthcare workers are the first point of contact for caregivers. You must be equipped with accurate information to answer tough questions and build trust,” he explained. “At the national level, we are 78 percent ready according to the readiness tool, and we are working tirelessly to ensure state and county levels catch up. We have already received 2.7 million doses of PCV and 300,000 doses of the rotavirus vaccine, with more shipments to follow.”
Training of health workers at the national level has been completed, and cascade trainings at the state and county levels will begin after the ongoing measles campaign concludes.
Throughout the event, speakers repeatedly called for strengthened community engagement to ensure successful vaccine uptake.
Dr. Koiti also shared the broader mission of SWAM, a membership-based non-profit that unites South Sudanese female doctors, pharmacists, and dentists to address gender disparities in healthcare leadership.
“You hardly hear of female healthcare professionals leading initiatives like this. We are here to change that narrative,” she declared. “We believe women must have a voice not only at the bedside but also in policymaking.”
The event concluded with a call for continuous dialogue and similar forums in the future to maintain momentum. Radio Tamazuj
