In the last week of November, our clinic staff finished an important programme. Hepatitis B is a highly infectious liver disease caused by a virus which spreads through contact with blood or body fluids. It is a widespread disease in South Sudan, but people can easily prevent getting an infection through vaccination.

That is why we inform, test, and vaccinate all our Loreto boarding students. Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to expand the programme and offer vaccinations to students at our Education Centre, as well as the Catholic University.

In the Education Centre, 20 students received their final vaccine. Martha said: “I must say that this programme has been a great help to many of us, especially girls like us who usually don’t have access to such opportunities. Loreto has not only provided a centre for learning, but it has really built confidence in us in many ways. For example, I now know my health status, and I am confident that I am safe from this disease. The health education has also been helpful to me, because I was free to ask questions about something that has been bothering me about my health. The nurses have also been so kind to us, and they provide proper guidance whenever necessary. Thanks to Sr. Orla and the donors for their care and support. We can do little to help at the moment, but we can be health educators to our brothers and sisters who are not aware of the disease and its dangers.”

“We can do little to help at the moment, but we can be health educators to our brothers and sisters who are not aware of the disease and its dangers.”

At the Catholic University in Rumbek, 27 students finalised their vaccination. Aruai told us, “The Hepatitis B vaccination given to Catholic University students has been a shield against contracting the disease since hepatitis is widespread in the region. It is a deadly disease that needs to be prevented. I have been tested and given two doses of the vaccine already when I was found negative. This programme has been a great help to the majority who could not afford the vaccine. Today I will be getting my final vaccination, and I am so grateful because I am protected from contracting the illness. My colleagues and I who were vaccinated are now safe and I request this programme to continue within the school to help more students who may not be aware of the disease.”

Jacob added: “From my personal perspective, the process is fantastic. It provides students with knowledge of their health status. Students who were found positive were advised to seek further treatment, and this helps to save the lives of the great people in South Sudan.”

And the story continues. 35 new students at Catholic University received health education and were tested. All of them were happy about receiving a negative test result, and they will get the first vaccination soon.

We say a huge thank you to our clinic staff for their great work and our donors for their generous donations. We hope that we can continue with this programme.