By Sabri Dibaco
Health workers at Yambio State Hospital continue to provide essential medical services to nearly 200 patients daily despite shortages of essential medicines and delays in the payment of staff incentives.
Speaking to the media in Yambio, the hospital’s medical director, Dr. Conte Samuel, said the facility serves residents of Yambio town and neighbouring counties through its various departments, with the maternity department receiving a particularly high number of patients.
Dr. Samuel noted that delays in incentive payments have affected staff motivation, although health workers continue to report for duty and provide care to patients who depend on the hospital for essential and life-saving treatment.
The challenges come as health facilities across South Sudan continue to face pressure to maintain healthcare services amid resource constraints.
Despite the difficulties, health workers at Yambio State Hospital remain committed to treating patients, including mothers, newborns, children and other people requiring medical attention.
The shortage of essential medicines, however, remains a concern because the availability of medical supplies is critical to ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely treatment.
Yambio State Hospital is among 715 health facilities supported by the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP), a government-led initiative funded by the World Bank and a consortium of development partners to expand access to essential healthcare and strengthen South Sudan’s health system.
The project aims to improve the delivery of health services to communities, particularly those that depend on public health facilities for primary and essential medical care.
However, the reported shortages of medicines and delays in staff incentives highlight the importance of sustained support to health facilities and the workers responsible for delivering services.
Timely payment of incentives, adequate medical supplies and sufficient operational resources are essential to maintaining staff morale and ensuring continuity of healthcare services.
Health workers remain central to the delivery of medical care in South Sudan, particularly in communities where public hospitals serve as a major source of treatment.
At Yambio State Hospital, their continued service demonstrates the commitment of healthcare professionals to meeting the needs of patients despite difficult working conditions.
Addressing the challenges facing the facility could help strengthen service delivery and ensure that residents of Yambio and neighbouring counties continue to access essential healthcare.