By Jacob Onuha Nelson & Nakwam Rose
Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has urged leaders to fund Juba Teaching Hospital in order to relive the institution from its current unbearable state.
In a press statement seen by this outlet on Wednesday, Edmund Yakani tasked leaders on inadequacy of medical services in Juba Teaching Hospital.
“Our leaders, we would like to bring to attention that the status of Juba Teaching Hospital in delivering adequate medical services to South Sudanese citizens who are unable to earn similar services from commercial facilities inside the country and outside the country is disappointing,” Edmund said in part.
The activist appealed to political leaders to play their role to allocate resources to the medical facility.
“It is our political leaders who hold power of decision for timely and adequate allocation of funding to Juba Teaching Hospital to provide adequate medical and health services to South Sudanese of low income,” Yakani stated.
The Executive Director noted that Juba Teaching Hospital has professional personnel committed to provide services to citizens, but fundings matter.
“But unfortunately, they are paralyzed without having finance and funding that come to Juba Teaching Hospital adequately,” Yakani added
Yakani observed a situation where access to medicine in Juba Teaching Hospital have to be negotiated on commercial basis, relationship basis or tribal basis.
He complained of inconvenience measures practiced in Juba Teaching Hospital due to inadequate funds.
“If you…. find yourself sick in Juba Teaching Hospital, you are not connected to anyone in the hospital, you are not known to anyone in the hospital, you are unable to bribe medical personnel to sell for you medicines or to provide you services, you may not get services that will save your life,” Yakani lamented.
Appealing to minister of health and the presidency, the activist said government hospitals should save lives for citizens who face medical and health issues.
“I would like to call honorable minister of health and even if it’s possible his excellency president and his excellency other vice presidencies should pay a courtesy visit to Juba Teaching Hospital and listen to the patients,” Yakani ranted.
According to Yakani, Juba Teaching Hospital is in deplorable condition and patients in misery.
“You will shed tears, you will walk with painful hearts, and you start questioning whether the revenue we generate through taxes or other sorts of revenue like oil, like gold, we are directing them for the best interest of South Sudanese citizens!” the activist exclaimed.
Yakani’s voice encompasses that of several citizens who continue swallowing their pain in silence and persevere inadequate health service in the country.