Arop Jonchol
Jonglei – The Governor of Jonglei State, Dr. Riak Gai Kok, today participated in the official celebrations of World Malaria Day, alongside several health program implementation partners, representatives from UN agencies, and NGOs operating in the health sector.
In his speech, Governor Dr. Riak Gai Kok emphasized that World Malaria Day serves as a renewed reminder to health authorities in Jonglei to continue working toward the complete eradication of the disease, despite the notable progress achieved in recent years.
He highlighted that the strategies adopted by both the national and state Ministries of Health have positioned Jonglei on the right path to a decisive victory in the fight against malaria, commending the milestones reached so far.
Governor Riak explained that malaria is caused by Anopheles mosquitoes, which breed in unhygienic environments, and stressed that maintaining environmental cleanliness is a key factor in eliminating mosquitoes and limiting the spread of the disease.
He expressed his gratitude to the national Ministry of Health for the strong support provided in making the event a success, reaffirming the state’s commitment to building a robust healthcare system and expanding access to achieve universal health coverage.
The governor also made a special appeal to women—particularly pregnant women—to attend antenatal care sessions and maintain clean household environments to prevent disease.
In conclusion, Dr. Riak Gai Kok pledged to support health facilities in their ongoing efforts to raise public awareness and enhance the quality of healthcare services.
Several speakers, including traditional leaders and development partners, reiterated their full support for the state’s efforts to achieve the shared goal of “Zero Malaria Deaths.”
