FIFA Arab Cup 2021: South Sudan Ministry of Health criticized for its laxity in enforcing health protocols.

South Sudan’s ministry of health has been criticized for its laxity in enforcing the health protocols. The ministry in its defense shifted blame to private laboratories and SSFA. The fundamental question is why will a private laboratory be allowed to conduct a COVID-19 test for the 41 members delegation for the Arab cup.

Recently, in an Eye Radio publication seen by NCMP, the Ministry of Health has accused a private laboratory of violating health guidelines by conducting pre-travel coronavirus testing for government and national institutions.

First in the said statement, the ministry didn’t name the private laboratory that conducted the COVID-19 test. That is questionable as many have observed. Was the ministry protecting a laboratory that throws the entire country into the shame of such magnitude? Isn’t their license supposed not to be withdrawn?

The Ministry of Health claimed that the ministry only received the test samples of the players on June 19, 2021 – a day after they had already traveled to Qatar. The Ministry said the team traveled without its approval.

The Ministry asserted that the private lab violated the health guidelines.

According to the statement, the National Public Health Laboratory is the only facility allowed to conduct pre-travel tests for government or national institutions’ delegates traveling outside the country.