By Deng Ghai Deng
Bor Hospital Staff in Jonglei State have issued a formal threat to strike, due to unpaid incentives.
In a letter addressed to the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, Crisis Management Committee of the hospital staff expressed deep frustration over lack of resolution from the Ministry of Health (SMOH) and UNICEF regarding their overdue incentives.
The letter highlights that despite a long wait, there has been no satisfactory response from SMOH or UNICEF about the incentives, which are crucial for the hospital’s operation.
“We have waited for so long for SMOH and UNICEF to solve our gravest concern but in vain,” the statement read.
“Besides, we are not talking about forgotten government salaries but NGOS incentives that have been keeping B.S.H operational for years.”
The staff underscored that these incentives, funded by NGOs like Care International and TearFund, are vital for their continued service, yet they have faced delays since the transition of these NGOs on June 30, 2024.
The workforce has been halved, leading to operational challenges and uncertainty about who will remain employed.
The committee warns that if the situation is not addressed within 72 hours, they will be forced to down tools, which could severely impact healthcare services in Jonglei State.
Chot Kueth Kulang, the Director General of the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, acknowledged receiving the complaint.
He explained, “There was a project that ended on June 30, 2024, and a new project started on July 1, 2024. All staff names were transferred to the new partner, Tearfund, and subsequently submitted to UNICEF. We are still awaiting payment from UNICEF, and no incentives have been disbursed yet.”
South Sudan’s Economic situation continues to worsen as prices of basic food items shoot up due to the US dollar rate rise against pound. The Civil Servants and members of armed forces across the country have gone unpaid for about 9 months.