Commemorating UN Humanitarian Day, the UNMIS Bangladeshi contingent held a free mobile medical clinic in Lologo payam (township) near the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba on 19 August.

Over a two-hour period, Bangladeshi doctors gave free medical treatment and medication to some 270 Lologo men, women and children suffering from common diseases like malaria, typhoid and paratyphoid diarrhea.

With no hospital in the payam, Lologo residents, who are mainly internally displaced persons, must travel for assistance to Juba Teaching Hospital, some four miles to the north and an hour's travel by foot.

Expressing gratitude to UNMIS Juba for the medical aid, Lologo resident Jane Gune said, "If the mission continues to help us in times of disease outbreaks, it would be helpful to the community not only in Lologo but also in other areas."

For the past two weeks, Ms. Gune had been suffering from severe headaches and weakness in one of her legs, despite a trip to Juba Teaching Hospital for treatment. Hopefully, the drugs she received from the Bangladeshis would improve her condition, she said.

Jacob Machar, another Lologo resident, said the clinic had come at the right time, considering frequent outbreaks of malaria and typhoid, especially in Juba. "If such a campaign is carried out again in Lologo, it will be good for the locals and will also reflect a good image for the mission".

Lt. Col. Sarder Mahmud Hossain, a doctor and commanding officer of the UNMIS Bangladesh Hospital in Juba, suggested that the service would continue. "This is a direct service we are offering to the people and we promise to be always with the community in time of need."