South Sudan’s Vice President, James Wani Igga inspected the ongoing expansion and modernization of Juba Teaching hospital on Wednesday.

Igga, flanked by the health minister, Dr. Riek Gai Kok and China’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning said the health facility will solve complications that will come with medical referrals abroad.

“China will donate advanced medical equipment for MRI, [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] and CT [Computerized Tomography] scan so that our citizens don’t seek medical treatment in foreign countries like Kenya, Sudan, among others,” said Igga.

“There will be no medical referral to other countries now that we are going to have better medical services. This will save our money, both for the government and individuals,” he added.

On his part, the Chinese ambassador said the health facility, which is near completion, will be very beneficial to the people of South Sudan.

“I believe South Sudanese people will greatly benefit from this new health facility,” said Ambassador Hua, adding that China is always committed to a joint cooperation with South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the health minister lauded the government of China for great support to the health sector, saying Chinese will help manage the hospital.

Located in the capital Juba, Juba Teaching Hospital is the only referral health facility in a nation with an estimated population of 13 million people.