JUBA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- As COVID-19 infections rise in South Sudan striking fear and anxiety in the public, Chinese medical doctors have continued to treat patients with various ailments.
Liu Fang, a 38-year-old dermatologist with the eighth batch of the Chinese medical team in Juba said Tuesday she works four to five hours a day on 100 patients with skin diseases such as eczema, scabies, dermatitis, drug eruption and tinea (ringworm).
"I am not afraid of COVID-19 because a lot of patients suffering from skin diseases need our services," she told Xinhua in an interview in Juba.
Liu who works at the Juba Teaching Hospital said that since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the country last April, patients barely came due to fear of catching COVID-19.
The situation has now changed due to the fact that the Chinese medical team has adhered to strict COVID-19 health guidelines where all patients are mandated to undergo tests for COVID-19 before accessing treatment.
She disclosed that the skin diseases among her South Sudanese patients are caused largely due to the hot weather and poor hygiene, adding that many of these patients do not get the necessary treatment required at the early stages of infection.
"Every year the Chinese government donates medicines, we have enough medicine to treat these people," said Liu.
South Sudan's ministry of health has so far confirmed 9,613 COVID-19 cases and 106 deaths with the highest infections occurring between February and March.
Wang Lili, a 38-year-old gynecologist said she always subjects her clients who are mostly pregnant women to the first test for COVID-19 where she takes samples from them. She serves about 20 women daily at the gynecology ward.
"The experience of working here is remarkable; a lot of patients listen to our instructions. Some of the patients at first were afraid of COVID-19, but this has since changed as many of them are coming to seek our services," said Wang.
She revealed her memorable experience to have been helping a woman in labor pain who ruptured her vagina in February, which led to an operation to save her life after excessive bleeding. "The operation went on successfully. We are very happy about it," said Wang.
Wang also revealed that for the first time, South Sudan's major referral hospital now has a colposcopy machine which has eased detection of cancer and other cervical diseases among women.
"This year, we started to use the only colposcopy machine in the hospital. It helps to detect cancer and other cervical diseases among women. I hope South Sudanese women will get enough awareness on cervical diseases," she added.
Zhu Changlong, a pediatrician who treats about 30 prematurely born babies said he and his colleagues are not only treating South Sudanese but also raising awareness on COVID-19 preventive measures which include offering them face masks and sanitizers.
Zhu explained that the high number of prematurely born babies is caused by prevalent malaria, malnutrition, and inherited family diseases.
Wu Huaiguo, neurologist and team leader of the Chinese medical team said that the main cause of the rise in COVID-19 infections is due to the variation of the coronavirus.
"China is the first country to bring COVID-19 infections under control and we the Chinese medical team in South Sudan have the obligation to fight COVID-19 with the South Sudanese people. We have the responsibility and obligation to stand with the South Sudanese people in these hard times of COVID-19," said Wu. Enditem
