By Deng Ghai Deng
Commissioner of Akobo County, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, has vehemently denied accusations made by the state Minister of Health, Lual Monyluak, alleging that the county rejected humanitarian partners in June 2024.
The minister’s remarks came in response to protests from Akobo residents regarding the quality of healthcare services in the area.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Minister Lual Monyluak had claimed that a team sent by the Ministry of Health to assess conditions in Akobo County was turned away by Commissioner Tutjiek.
The visit, part of an evaluation of healthcare provisions, was reportedly intended to address growing concerns among Akobo residents, particularly regarding the state of Akobo Hospital.
However, Commissioner Tutjiek issued a strong rebuttal in a letter dated November 20, 2024, calling the allegations “unfounded” and “misleading.”
Tutjiek explained that the situation surrounding Akobo Hospital began earlier in May 2024, when the local community and county health staff were informed that Save the Children would be taking over the operation of the facility.
This announcement triggered protests from hospital staff, who objected to Save the Children’s involvement in managing the hospital, citing concerns about the future of hospital operations under the organization’s leadership.
“The statement from the state minister of health lacks the reality,” Tutjiek told this publication in an interview. “He cannot say I rejected the implementing partner after we already identified Save the Children in a meeting held on May 15, 2024. During that meeting, Save the Children clearly stated it was not ready to take over the hospital due to insufficient budget to support its operations.”
The commissioner added that the protests against Save the Children’s involvement were rooted in fears that the hospital would be downgraded and that the healthcare services in the area would suffer as a result.
Further clarifying the situation, Tutjiek emphasized that when the team from the national and state Ministries of Health, along with representatives from Save the Children International, visited Akobo Hospital in June, they arrived without the necessary official documents from either the national or state ministries.
The team’s assessment was reportedly organized by Save the Children itself. Documents related to the assessment were only sent after the team had already returned, and local health workers were informed that the hospital’s status would be downgraded.
The dispute highlights ongoing challenges faced by Akobo County in providing quality healthcare to its residents. Despite the disagreements over the hospital’s management, both the state Ministry of Health and local officials have expressed a shared commitment to improving healthcare services in the region.
As tensions over the hospital’s future continue, Commissioner Tutjiek has called for a more collaborative approach to resolving the issue and addressing the concerns of both local staff and the community.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health Stated that it is finalizing minor operation arrangement to restore full operation to Akobo Hospital