Chinese Medical Team Donates Medical Supplies to University of Juba Clinic
By Wek Atak
The Chinese Medical Team has donated essential medical supplies to the University of Juba Clinic as part of an ongoing partnership aimed at strengthening healthcare services for students, staff, and surrounding communities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr. Zhang Erqing, leader of the China Medical Team, said the partnership’s core objective is to develop the University of Juba Clinic into one of the key medical service centres in the area.
“Through gradual improvements, we aim to enhance the medical environment at the university clinic while extending quality healthcare services to neighbouring communities. This is our primary goal,” Dr. Zhang said.
The collaboration is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health through Juba Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Chan Deng Malual, Acting Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Juba, explained that increasing student enrolment, staff numbers, and rising demand from nearby communities have placed immense pressure on the clinic, which provides free healthcare services.
“Due to economic hardships, many community members seek treatment at our clinic. As a result, patient numbers have increased significantly, leading to frequent shortages of consumables and laboratory reagents,” he said.
Following discussions between the university and the China Medical Team, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, resulting in the donation of vital laboratory equipment and ongoing joint clinical work. Chinese medical professionals now visit the clinic weekly to consult patients alongside university staff.
The donated items include syringes, blood collection tubes, probe-cleaning solutions, analyser reagents, and diagnostic test kits for malaria, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and Helicobacter pylori.
“These diseasesespecially malaria, typhoid fever, and hepatitis—are among the most common health challenges we face,” Dr. Malual noted. “Hepatitis, in particular, is a major public health concern that leads to severe liver damage and loss of life.”
He emphasized the importance of hepatitis B vaccination to protect patients who test negative and prevent future infections.
The clinic operates on a non-discriminatory basis, providing care to all patients regardless of background.
“Whoever comes first is treated first—students, staff, or community members,” Dr. Malual said.
The university of Juba also welcomed the China Medical Team’s commitment to share China’s experience in eliminating malaria.
“China has achieved zero malaria, while malaria remains endemic in South Sudan. We look forward to learning from China’s strategies and working toward a future of zero malaria tolerance in our country,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Susan Peter Ladu, Director of the University Clinic, described the donation as a crucial step toward improving diagnostic capacity.
“This contribution comes after extensive discussions on how to address persistent shortages of medicines and laboratory reagents. It represents an important first step,” she said.
However, she noted that supplies are often depleted within a month due to high patient volumes, sometimes forcing the clinic to seek emergency support from the Ministry of Health or university administration.
“I sincerely thank the China Medical Team for their continued cooperation—not only through donations but also through hands-on patient care. Their support is vital to improving the quality and continuity of our services,” she said.
