By Yiep Joseph
A civil society activist has called on the management of Jonglei State Hospital and workers on protest to dialogue and reopen the facility.
Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of INTREPID-South Sudan and Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN), stated that due to the closure of the hospital, patients and the public at large are subjected to suffering.
Since last week the hospital’s main gate, outpatient department (OPD), laboratory, antenatal care unit, expanded program on immunization (EPI) unit, water supply system, and medical director’s office were said to have remained closed.
This shutdown was prompted by an order from the health ministry that mandated the transfer of several hospital staffs to Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) and county hospitals outside the state capital.
According to residents in the area, such a decision has worsened the health situation as people die with no help.
In a statement to the media, Deng said there is a need to rescue the situation.
He expressed that the protest has severely affected the hospital despite it being the main life-saving facility in the state.
“The Jonglei State’s main referral hospital in Bor town has been severely affected by the ongoing industrial strike by doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff members for a week and counting now,” he said.
The activist revealed that due to the closure of the hospitals, some patients died in an avoidable situation due to a lack of staff to attend to them.
“As a result, two avoidable deaths of male and female patients have occurred, including about four expecting women who gave birth outside the hospital in unhealthy conditions,” Deng said.
“Many cases remain unreported in the residences. We offer our kind and sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” he added.
He added that till now there is no clear indication of dialogue between the hospital management and the staff.
“To date, no sign of a deal has been struck between the hospital management and the striking civil servants. This is the only hospital with a capacity not found within the state. Its prolonged closure, therefore, only increases the suffering of the people,” he said.
On behalf of the residents and civil society at large, Deng calls for the immediate reopening of Jonglei’s main hospital.
“We are appealing for an amicable settlement of the grievances that led to the closure of the hospital as soon as possible. Please note that a strike, among any other form of civil disobedience, is constitutionally protected, and it is normal in the state,” he said.
“So, it ought to be responded to with respect to the citizens’ civil liberties, including freedom of expression and assembly,” he added.
He reiterated that the civil society will continue to monitor the progress that will hopefully result in the reopening of the hospital.
Recently the hospital was shut down due to the protest between the hospital management and the staff over the issue of transfer.
Meanwhile, in response to the crisis, Nyamar Lony, the information minister, stated that the government is aware of the hospital’s closure and is taking steps to ensure the swift resumption of operations at the facility.
Efforts to reach the state government to give an update on any fresh development were not successful.