By Lodu William Odiya
Internal Displaces Person (IDPs) have raised concern over deteriorating health concern issues in Juba III protection of civilian site (POC).
This concern was raised during a distribution ceremony of food and non-food item organized by ISRAAID at the POC yesterday.
Makul Gatluak, chairperson of the IDP’s emphasized that there is a facility but the it lacks the health worker for its operation.
“Our affected people are really suffering and they need health facilities. If you also have that plan, maybe to also maybe help these people in the health sector. We have the facility, but no one is operating inside it.
He requests the government officials, especially the Minister of Health to look into the matter and facilitate some health worker to support the facility.
“Here we have the mothers. They are mostly dying during the delivery, which is affecting the whole country, but we cannot blame anyone” he said.
“If you have that ability, we need you to at least provide us with one of the NGOs to come and facilitate this. I cannot say it is just only this camp, but most of our people in all areas, they are suffering, but they need help” he added.
Gatluak underscored the need for the health sector in working hard in order to improve the health facility at the IDP camps.
“We need you to work very hard on this health sector concerning the IDP camp, if you can make it. The most people who are suffering, these are the vulnerable children and the mothers.
“Our health is deteriorating. We don’t have health facility operating in the POC, both Camp 1 and Camp 3. Also, the serious concern is the water” he added.
He highlighted that the only pipeline that was functioning last has stopped providing the water hence further worsening the situation in term of water at the POC.
“So seriously, we are lacking water. Since last year, our water got stopped. By then, we have a pipeline that used to come up to POC, but that pipeline was stopped. You know in the world, 75% from the life of the human being, they are water. So now we are living without water” he stressed.
Gatluak Urged the government to provide the at least a water tank that would he manage the water crisis at IDP camps.
“Official who are here today, we also request your ability, if you can manage, we need you to help us in the issue of water. If you also can provide us with a water tank that can be filled once a week, that would be also fine” he underlined.
On her part, Sarah Cleto Rial, who is the national minister of health thanked the partners for their continued commitment to supporting our communities and strengthening essential services.
“As we come together, let us reflect on the pillars that sustain our nation. Without peace, we cannot do anything. I hear calls about health services. But without peace and stability, our health workers cannot work” she stressed.
Cleto underscored that without unity, the country’s national response to challenges becomes fragmented.
“Our health system cannot function. And our communities in need cannot be reached” she added.
According to Minister Cleto, peace is directly linked to development in South Sudan.
She further stated that a peaceful community allows children to attend schools, farmers to cultivate their land, and health facilities to operate without disruption.
“I want to add my voice and put my request as the Minister of Health to the government of Israel to help us establish a health care center here. It can be a center; it can be a unit. And we as the Ministry of Health, we will also do what we can in terms of reaching, ensuring that services are delivered” she highlighted.
Cleto emphasized that she had launched a new initiative for ministers, a special initiative for maternal and newborn health, stating that if people in Israel help, her Ministry with primary health care, the ministry would be able to reach with those services.