The Indonesian Government delegation led by the Deputy for Emergency Management at BNPB, Maj. Gen. Fajar Setyawan and the Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan, Ambassador Sunarko, handed over humanitarian aid from the Indonesian Government to the Sudanese Government which was received directly by the Sudanese Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim is located at Port Sudan International Airport.

Humanitarian aid packages were carried using chartered Garuda Indonesia planes. The total value of assistance reached USD 1 million, consisting of 238 types of medicines weighing 12.44 tons to treat emergency conditions, medical oncology, medical chronics, as well as blood bank supplies and medical consumables.

This assistance is a form of close relations between Indonesia and Sudan as well as a solidarity commitment to help alleviate the conditions of the Sudanese people who are experiencing a health crisis due to the ongoing armed conflict.

In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Fajar Setyawan said that the Indonesian Government was trying to respond quickly to requests for humanitarian assistance from the Sudanese Government. Indonesia has always considered Sudan as a close friendly country, even though it is separated by a long distance. It is hoped that this assistance can help ease the burden on people who are undergoing treatment and need treatment and medication.

Minister of Health Haitham expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for the solidarity and assistance provided to help the Sudanese people who are affected by the war. The Minister of Health believes that this assistance will have a positive impact on the Sudanese people. Dr. Haitham also expressed his commitment to immediately distribute this aid to those in need.

This assistance is the second batch of Indonesia’s humanitarian assistance to Sudan. Previously in December 2023, Indonesia through the Indonesian Red Cross provided medical assistance worth IDR. 2 billion (USD 127,000) in the form of medical equipment and medicines weighing 10 tons.

This provision of assistance reflects the Indonesian Government’s commitment to supporting humanitarian issues in the international world, including health issues faced by friendly countries.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Khartoum, Sudan.

The Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation has questioned Mubende Regional Referral Hospital management for charging patients Shs150,000 for use of a CT Scan machine..

The members of the committee led by Luwero District Woman Representative, Hon. Brenda Nabukenya is following up on government assurances and promises in the health sector.

Specifically, the committee is looking into the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Loan Programme of Shs552.2 billion approved by Parliament to support the upgrading of the health centre IIs to IIIs in sub counties that did not have them.

During their visit to Mubende District on Thursday, 04 March 2024, the team established that five sub counties of Kayebe , Kitenga , Kiruuma , Nabingoola , and East and West Division of Mubende Municipality did not have health centre IIIs.

The MPs also visited Mubende Regional Referral Hospital were they discovered that the facility was charging for the use of CT Scan machine that was provided by Government.

AUDIO Kiiza

Hon. Acrobert Kiiza (Indep., Bughendera County) tasked the hospital officials to explain who gave the guidelines that Shs150,000 for use of CT Scan be charged on patients and yet is a government facility. He also sought to understand where the money that is collected or the excess is spent or sent to. He also asked the director to explain what they do with Ugandans who cannot afford the Shs150,000.

“During the delivery of the CT scan, did it come with guidelines? I would like the director to tell the committee whether the charge of Shs150,000 as cost sharing came with the guidelines, and was this the decision of the hospital board,” he asked.

Isingiro District Woman MP, Hon. Clare Mugumya said she was happy that the CT scan was provided by the facility but was shocked about the price which she said was too high.

 “The user fee is really so high; Shs150,000 is not affordable to most of the people in Mubende. I was wondering if there is anything you can do to reduce the cost, ” Mugumya said.

AUDIO Dr Batibwe

Dr Paul Batibwe, the Director of the hospital said that the cost sharing is meant to ensure that the machine does not get spoilt and keeps running.

He also told the committee that for those who cannot afford, the hospital gives a waiver.

The committee was also shocked to learn that the maternity section at Mubende Hospital still has mothers giving birth on the floor with at least 10 to 15 mothers sleeping on the floor.

The hospital has a bed capacity of only 49 clients of the required 80.

According to Sister Madelena Asedri, a midwife, the demand for beds is high with mothers flocking in from neighbouring districts to get services.

She added that the cases of mothers sleeping on the floor for lack of beds is a big challenge.

Dr Godfrey Malemeko, a gynaecologist at the facility said that the lack of a health centre IV and a district hospital makes it difficult to handle cases who come in without referrals as this leads to overcrowding and limited sundries to support the work of medics.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

“We need lasting peace in our villages,” said Suzanna Joseph wistfully.

Suzanna, a mother of five children, was speaking to peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and local authorities in Tambura who were on a joint assessment mission, given rising tensions in the area in the past few weeks.

She is also one of the internally displaced people who sought refuge outside the UN Peacekeeping mission’s temporary base in the area when fighting broke out in greater Tambura in 2021, which led to massive loss of life, properties, and displacement.

“As women, we are more vulnerable to the consequences of conflict. Many of us are mothers and it pains us to see our children suffer,” added Suzanna.

Today, as tensions are again on the rise in this troubled region of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, with the postponement of a long-awaited peace conference, supported by UNMISS, and a deterioration in the overall security situation, Suzanna, who had returned to her farm and home, is justifiably worried.

“We are tired of running for our lives. I am fearful of being displaced again and I worry about my children’s future,” she revealed candidly.

Suzanna’s is not an isolated case as the visiting delegation discovered and their aim in visiting affected communities here was simple: To boost confidence and urge community members themselves to start reconciling their differences peacefully.

“We have set up a security committee and reinforced the numbers of uniformed personnel in Tambura to allay people’s fears and prevent the spread of mis- and disinformation. We believe this will go a long way in helping stabilize the situation,” stated James Severino, state Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement.

“For us as government partners and UNMISS, we want the people of Tambura to feel safe, continue their livelihood activities without fear and, ultimately, for our entire state to be prosperous,” he added.

Jane Lanyero Kony, Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Western Equatoria, reiterated UNMISS’ commitment to protecting civilians.  

“Our goal is to make sure civilians feel safe and are empowered to solve outstanding disputes amicably. To this end, in past weeks, our peacekeepers have intensified day and night patrols within and around Tambura town. Our temporary operating base here has helped boost community confidence. Moreover, we are working in partnership with security organs at the state level to make sure that the strong call from peace that we have heard today from Tambura residents is heeded by all,” she averred.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended a “Sohour” banquet organized by the Armed Forces on Thursday night. In attendance were Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Mohamed Zaki; Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Osama Askar, as well as commanders of the main branches and senior commanders of the Armed Forces.

During the event, the Armed Forces congratulated President El-Sisi on assuming a new presidential term to continue leading our Egyptian nation and realize its aspirations and ambitious achievements in building a strong modern state at all levels. The Armed Forces affirmed their unwavering commitment to fulfilling their tasks and duties to protect the accomplishments and capabilities of the great Egyptian people.

President El-Sisi commended the efforts of the Egyptian state and its national institutions, particularly the Armed Forces and the contributions and sacrifices made by its men, to maintain the highest levels of efficiency and combat readiness, build and develop the force that safeguards Egypt’s security, stability, and national interests, and support its efforts towards development, construction, and progress in various fields. The President also extended his greetings to the men of Armed Forces and the Egyptian people on the approaching of Eid al-Fitr.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.