25 January 2012 – With concern for health increasing in Upper Nile State, several agencies launched a dry season awareness campaign on the topic today, to continue until 25 May.

Covering the state's 13 counties, the campaign will acquaint communities with overall health messages, including ways of preventing disease.

The effort was launched by the state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Inter-church Mission Assistant (IMA).

The event was attended by county commissioners and representatives of county health departments, UN Agencies and non-governmental organizations working on health issues in the state.

During the ceremony, Upper Nile Deputy Governor Andrea Maya expressed appreciation for the role played by health partners in the state. "I would like to encourage the state Ministry of Health and health partners to double their efforts to improve health facilities in the counties."

Upper Nile Minister of Health Stephen Lor Nyak urged county authorities to improve facilities in their areas. "I call upon the commissioners and health departments in the counties to cooperate with health partners to improve health facilities in their respective counties."

Minister Nyak said the campaign would encourage local authorities to learn about health facilities in their counties and how to make the best use of them.

He said his ministry, in conjunction with health partners, was assisting counties in transporting medical supplies. "We managed to provide cars for 10 counties and we will provide three cars for the remaining counties very soon."

WHO representative Dr. Fazal Ather said his agency would work closely with the government to strengthen health facilities and deliver services in the state. It would also support the Ministry of Health with communications systems.

"We have provided motorcycles and 7 VHF (radios) to the counties and they will start to operate very soon," said Dr. Ather.