WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL - For detainees at Wau Central Prison, access to basic healthcare is not only about treating illness; it is about preserving dignity, upholding rights and helping inmates prepare for life after serving their sentences.
A medical outreach programme hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provided free consultations, medicines and health advice to approximately 120 detainees. Medical teams from Bangladesh and China serving with the UN Peacekeeping mission assessed and treated a range of health conditions.
For 18-year-old Natasha*, the support offered immediate relief.
“At night, I sometimes feel feverish, and the pain makes it difficult for me to sleep. The medicine I received today will help, and I hope I will now be able to rest better,” she says.
Regular healthcare is particularly important in the overcrowded, resource-constrained prison setting. It helps identify health conditions early, provides preventive advice and reduces vulnerability to disease.
“Today was a great day because we had an opportunity to engage with the inmates, treat chronic and skin-related conditions, and offer essential medical advice,” said Major Wen Cao, a medical officer with the Chinese peacekeeping contingent.
For 23-year-old Marko*, who has suffered from abdominal pain for six years, access to treatment has also been affected by the loss of family support.
“My mother used to buy me essential items, including medicine. Since her death, it has not been easy because I have no one else to rely on.”
His experience highlights how loss of family support can leave people in detention particularly vulnerable.
Wau Central Prison Director George Gabriel Gilo welcomed the initiative.
“Some of the medicines needed by prisoners are expensive. Today’s medical outreach allows patients to receive their prescribed treatment free of charge,” he said.
Mr. Gilo also emphasized that supporting prisoners goes beyond addressing immediate needs. It also means encouraging them to reflect on their lives and prepare for eventual reintegration into their communities.
“Being here doesn’t mean your journey is over. Sometimes, travellers take the wrong road, but once they realize this, they turn back and find the right path,” he added.
His message reflects a broader principle: imprisonment should not strip people of their dignity or their prospects for a more hopeful future.
“We are looking beyond immediate treatment to how improved health can help detainees prepare to reintegrate into society,” said Akai Juma, an UNMISS Protection, Transition and Reintegration Officer.
Wau Central Prison currently houses around 926 prisoners, including men, women, juveniles and nursing mothers. Meeting their diverse needs remains a significant responsibility.
While a single medical intervention cannot address every health need, it reinforces an essential message: people in detention retain their rights and dignity.
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By Busang Davies Maruping
[*Names of detainees have been changed to protect their privacy.]
