By Hou Akot Hou
Several health facilities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, including Aweil Civil Hospital, which serves the largest population, lack essential drugs.
Patients visiting health facilities are being diagnosed but directed to private pharmacies to purchase medications, which many find difficult to afford.
Adut Aleu, a resident of Malou-Awer, told this publication on Sunday that the situation worsens as the rainy season approaches. She described it as dire.
“The situation will be worse. Now in our state hospital, Aweil Civil Hospital lacks essential drugs. We don’t know what to do. My neighbor went twice with a sick baby, and she ended up coming back without medication,” she stated.
Aleu said that even those who go early to the hospital might receive some prescribed medicines but are still often directed to private pharmacists for the remainder of their prescriptions.
She added that diseases are on the rise as the rainy season approaches, calling on partners to monitor the supplies they provide to the local population.
She alleged that some drugs donated by partners are being illicitly sold.
When contacted, the Director General of the state Ministry of Health, Malong Diing Aher, acknowledged the shortage of essential medicines. He attributed the shortfall to patient demand exceeding the supplies received from partners and urged residents to be patient as authorities work to address the issue.
“A new consignment will be brought, as partners like UNICEF are working with us to sort out the issue before the rainy season deteriorates the roads leading to the counties,” Malong stated.
Despite official reassurances, many residents accuse some health officials of diverting or selling drugs received from partners.