Republic of South Sudan is Born

Sudanese children rehearse a dance routine to be performed during their national soccer team’s match with Kenya as part of their independence day celebrations in Juba. Paul Banks/AP

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On Saturday, July 9th 2011 the new Republic of South Sudan became the world's 196th country – finally achieving freedom after 50 years of devastating civil war.

The official Independence Day celebrations began at 10 am Saturday with a parade through the new country's capital, Juba. About 3,500 representatives attended, including kings, chiefs, and elders from the 10 states in South Sudan.

More than 100,000 were expected to watch the ceremony in person, and many more watched on large screens across the city.

IMA Team leader Dr. Daniel Madit, coordinated celebration activities in the Upper Nile State and had 3 teams of medical professionals on standby to provide emergency medical services if necessary.

IMA World Health has worked side-by-side with the South Sudanese government for several years as the Lead Agency in the states of Upper Nile and Jonglei to build and strengthen the health system and provide essential health care services to millions of people who desperately need it.

As the people of South Sudan began their independence, IMA and other stakeholders supported health-related activities during the independence celebration in the Upper Nile State.

IMA staff and volunteers distributed targeted messages on family planning; distributed 400 malaria nets to pregnant women, and made appearances on a local radio talk show to discuss health initiatives.

At the request of the State Ministry of Health , IMA Team leader Dr. Daniel Madit, coordinated these activities and had 3 teams of medical professionals on standby to provide emergency medical services as needed during the celebration.

Dr. Madit is one of 600 children that were transported out of Sudan in 1986 to receive education and one day return to help lead their country. He and 14 others with medical training made an emotional return 30 years later. IMA World Health and several partners supported them by coordinating their refresher clinical training in Nairobi for a year so they could become practicing physicians in South Sudan. Eleven from this group, including Dr. Madit, have kept the promise and serve their people in different parts of the country.

"It is a privilege for me as a South Sudanese to serve my people during this historic event." Dr Daniel Madit said in a recent email finalizing his plans.