VP Hussein says senior gov’t officials buying COVID-19 test certificates without getting tested

JUBA – South Sudan Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol has warned health workers against illicit selling of false-negative COVID-19 test certificates to travelers, especially senior government officials who he said are involved in the illegal business.

The warning came following a report alleging that healthcare workers are selling fake certificates to people who wanted to travel out of the country, without conducting the actual Covid-19 test.

“There has been a report of COVID-19 testing cards being sold by some medical workers to people especially government officials traveling abroad,” Abdelbagi told state-owned radio yesterday.

“These people when they realized that they are about to travel within a short period of time, will just go to any private COVID-19 testing laboratory to acquire COVID-19 certificate without undergoing testing,” Abdelbagi added.

The Vice President condemned the healthcare worker’s alleged illegal deeds, adding his actions had implications on other people’s health.

“This act is forbidden and I want to tell government officials and travelers that will be found at the airport with fake COVID-19 certificate would not be allowed to travel with that fake certificate,” he said.

The top government official urged medics to uphold a good name of the country in matters to do adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

“We are directing the security organs at Juba International Airport and especially those working at VIP Lounge for civilians and soldiers and VIP lounge for the state to ensure that travelers screened and their COVID-19 certificate verified before traveling,” he said.

He threatened to shut down the COVID-19 testing laboratory found issuing COVID-19 negative certificates to travelers.

“We will conduct mandatory testing for all travelers at Juba airport and if it happened that your negative results result shows positive, we will deal with you and the health facility that gave you a fake testing certificate without conducting the actual Covid-19 test,” he said.