By James Innocent
Yei, South Sudan — The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Yei, Rt. Rev. Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo, on Saturday joined medical workers, clergy, and community members in celebrating the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita at St. Bakhita Health Centre in Yei, Central Equatoria State.
The Bishop described the celebration as a moment of joy, love, and unity, calling on health workers and the wider community to continue working together in service to humanity, particularly the most vulnerable.
Speaking during the event, Moro Moses, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for St. Bakhita Day, praised staff and worshippers for honouring the legacy of St. Bakhita, a former slave who later became a symbol of faith, resilience, and freedom through her devotion to God.
He recalled the painful history associated with the health centre, noting that St. Bakhita Day was first commemorated in 2015, the same year when the late Sister Veronica was killed while transporting an emergency maternity case to ECP Harvesters Primary Health Care using an ambulance—an incident that shocked the Yei community.
Moses said the 2026 celebration was particularly significant, describing it as a moment of remembrance and renewal.
One of the health centre staff, Veneranda Yabu, said the facility is currently experiencing an increase in patient numbers but confirmed that essential drugs are available.
She commended the Diocese of Yei for providing clean water within the compound and noted that many staff members are professionally trained, enabling them to refer complicated cases to higher medical facilities when necessary.
However, she appealed for additional support, especially the recruitment of more laboratory technicians and improved power supply to address ongoing operational challenges.
The Reverend Sister overseeing the health centre urged members of the public to seek medical services at the facility regardless of background or belief, emphasizing that the mission of the centre is to serve all people as part of God’s work.
Meanwhile, the Diocesan Health Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Dr. Sebastian Pololo Enock Ndeke, said residents of Yei are fortunate to have St. Bakhita Health Centre, describing it as a long-standing pillar of community health services.
He encouraged health workers to maintain unity, teamwork, and a spirit of peaceful cooperation in their daily duties.
Fr. Lazarus Mondua also applauded the health centre staff for organising the memorial celebration and thanked the Bishop for his continued pastoral and spiritual support to the people of Yei.
Another priest, Fr. Tom Poru, called on health workers to remain committed and hardworking despite persistent challenges, reminding them that the suffering endured by St. Bakhita serves as a powerful example of perseverance and faith.
The annual celebration brought together church leaders, medical personnel, and community members to reflect on the values of service, sacrifice, and compassion embodied by St. Josephine Bakhita.