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Wau – Western Bahr el Ghazal: Al-Wadi Weekly Newspaper
As part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services and protect the rights of detainees, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) organized a medical outreach at Wau Central Prison, benefiting around 120 detainees through medical examinations, consultations, free medicines, health education and guidance.
Medical teams from Bangladesh and China, serving as part of the United Nations peacekeeping forces, participated in the outreach. The teams examined detainees, diagnosed and treated various medical conditions, including chronic illnesses, skin problems and other health-related conditions.
The initiative comes amid growing healthcare needs in prisons, particularly in the face of overcrowding and limited resources. Regular medical care helps ensure early detection of diseases, access to appropriate treatment and prevention of the spread of health problems, while also raising awareness about disease prevention.
Natasha*, 18, said receiving treatment during the campaign gave her hope that her health would improve. She explained that she had been suffering from fever and pain that made it difficult for her to sleep.
“Sometimes I feel feverish at night, and the pain makes it impossible for me to sleep. The medicine I received today will help me, and I hope I can now rest better,” she said.
Major Wen Cao, medical officer with the Chinese peacekeeping unit, described the campaign as an important opportunity to engage directly with detainees and provide them with essential healthcare services.
He said the medical teams treated chronic conditions and skin diseases, while also providing basic medical advice and guidance.
Loss of Family Support Adds to Detainees’ Hardships
Testimonies from some detainees highlighted additional challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly for those who have lost family support.
Marco*, 23, said he had been suffering from abdominal pain for six years, noting that his mother used to provide him with medicines and other basic necessities before her death.
“My mother used to buy me basic necessities, including medicines. Since she passed away, things have not been easy because I have no one else to rely on,” he said.
His case highlights the importance of providing detainees with regular healthcare services, particularly those who lack family support or the resources needed to obtain treatment.
Prison Management Welcomes the Initiative
The Director of Wau Central Prison, George Gabriel Jilo, welcomed the medical initiative, noting that the rising cost of some medicines makes it difficult for prisoners to access them.
Jilo said the campaign enabled patients to receive prescribed medicines and treatment free of charge, easing some of the additional burdens they face during detention.
The prison director stressed that caring for detainees should not be limited to meeting their healthcare and nutritional needs, but should also include helping them reflect on their lives and prepare to return to society after completing their sentences.
Addressing the detainees, he said: “Your presence here does not mean that your journey has ended. Sometimes travelers take the wrong road, but when they realize it, they turn back and find the right path.”
Health as Part of Reintegration
Akai Juma, Protection, Transition and Reintegration Officer with UNMISS, said the initiative goes beyond providing temporary medical treatment and aims to support detainees in preparing for their future lives and eventual return to society.
He said improving detainees’ health can play an important role in the reintegration process, noting that healthcare is a fundamental component of protecting human dignity and rights during detention.
Wau Central Prison houses around 926 inmates, including men, women, juveniles and breastfeeding mothers, making the provision of appropriate health and social services a continuing challenge for prison authorities and other relevant institutions.
Although a single medical campaign cannot meet all the healthcare needs of the prison population, the initiative underscores the importance of sustained efforts to provide healthcare to detainees, protect their dignity and rights, and create conditions that can help them build new lives after completing their sentences.
#Photo: Bosanq Davids Marubing – UNMISS
