Imagine the shock as nine people perish in Aweil East from an unidentified illness. The loss of life is disturbing, especially when the cause remains unknown to doctors.
In South Sudan, malaria has historically been a leading cause of death, particularly among children and vulnerable adults. The situation in hospitals like Juba Teaching Hospital and Al Saba Hospital is dire. A visit to these facilities reveals the harsh reality: countless children suffer, and many die due to a lack of proper medical care and essential medicines. This crisis persists year after year, with little sign of improvement.
The epidemic of mismanagement has resulted in countless fatalities, especially among those who cannot afford private healthcare. Simple medications like Panadol are often unavailable in public hospitals, and sometimes medical staff demand payment before assisting patients. This heartbreaking reality is compounded by stories of medical supplies being siphoned off to private clinics while patients are left to suffer.
The root of this problem lies in our leaders’ neglect of the health sector. Many opt for treatment abroad rather than addressing their health needs at home. Instead of prioritizing healthcare reform, our national lawmakers appear more focused on protecting their positions and pocketing funds allocated for their own medical care.
The neglect extends beyond healthcare; it impacts roads, the economy, and basic security. Resources are squandered while hospitals and schools languish. Teachers, doctors, and civil servants often wait months for their salaries, leading to further degradation of essential services. South Sudan is not poor; rather, the wealth is misallocated, enriching a few while the majority suffer.
The year 2024, the situation looks bleak, with no signs of peace or development in sight. Our leaders have failed to make meaningful improvements since the beginning, and this is a deep shame for our nation.
I appeal to the government to improve all the sectors to provide a conducive environment so that many poor citizens do not lose their lives at the cost of treatment. The peace monitor should work hard to make sure the peace is achieved so that the country focuses on their developmental programs, the peace monitor should not think that South Sudan is their garden or playground.
God Bless South Sudan
Be right there!