By Deng Ghai Deng
Bor Hospital, Jonglei State has come to a standstill as medical staff began a strike on Monday, due to unpaid incentives and delayed salaries leaving patients without care.
The walkout follows a formal strike threat issued by the hospital’s medical staff two weeks ago, amid ongoing frustrations over unresolved pay issues.
Registered Nurse John Anyieth Malaak, head of the pediatric department, confirmed the strike, noting that all wards, including those for children, are now without medical personnel.
“Since our notice of a potential strike two weeks ago, there has been no substantial information on the status of our incentives,” Malaak said.
“Healthcare work needs a lot of energy, and with no other sources of income, the staff are unable to continue their duties. We have thus decided to stop work until our incentives are paid.”
A letter from the hospital’s Staff Crisis Management Committee addressed to the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) two weeks ago detailed their frustrations with the lack of resolution from both the Ministry and UNICEF regarding incentive payments.
The incentives, funded by NGOs such as Care International and Tearfund, have been delayed since the transition of these organizations on June 30, 2024.
The staff reported that their numbers have been halved, leading to operational challenges and uncertainty about employment.
An anonymous health worker expressed concerns that the hospital administration and the state health ministry might have mismanaged the staff incentives.
However, Malaak emphasized that the severe economic conditions, including soaring food prices and a weakened local currency, have exacerbated the situation.
“The cost of living is unbearably high. A healthcare worker who arrives at the ward without breakfast and stands all day could collapse from exhaustion and become another patient,” Malaak added.
“We cannot continue working under these conditions until our incentives and delayed salaries are paid.”
Reports indicate that several medical workers, including Dr. Ajak Garang, have faced intimidation and threats from security operatives for protesting the unpaid incentives and salaries.
The Director General of the State Ministry of Health, Chot Kueth Kulang, did not respond to requests for comment on the strike.
South Sudan’s worsening economic situation continues to impact civil servants and members of the armed forces, who have been without pay for 10 months as the local currency’s value plummets against the US dollar.