By Peter Kuol Kuch
Early last month, the Jonglei State Ministry of Health restructured the hospital by transferring several clinicians and nurses to various Primary Health Care Centers in Bor County. The decision was rejected by the transferred medics, leading to the total shutdown of Bor Main Hospital.
Following the strike, some lives were lost and women gate deliveries were encountered because the hospital’s main gate was closed and guarded, leaving patients with no access to health Care. According to local reports, and a mother and her newly born baby were loss due to lack of health care. Residents and civil society groups say the doctors’ actions constitute a serious human rights violation under South Sudan’s Constitution.
Rebecca Achok, a mother who visited the hospital seeking treatment during the shutdown but was denied entry, says she witnessed women delivering at the hospital gate without medical assistance, describing the situation as a violation of women’s privacy.
“When the hospital got closed, it became very difficult for us.
For those of us depending on this government hospital, it’s difficult. Some lives were lost during the closure.” Achok Said.
Although the hospital later resumed partial operations, doctors are still not providing adequate health services due to the ongoing strike.
Speaking to the protesting pre-medics, Jacob Mabior, representing the striking workers, emphasized that their transfer was unprocedural, arguing that the Director General of the Ministry of Health has no mandate to question their medical credentials.
“The DG at the Ministry of Health has no powers and mandate to transfer as amended by the provision order of Public Health. It’s the Hospital DG and the Medical Director who are entitled within the hospital’s perimeter to send staff to the Ministry, but the Health DG can’t do that. So it was unprocedural.” Jacob stated.
According to the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, many of the striking clinicians have worked at Bor Referral Hospital for more than a decade as experienced health workers; however, some reportedly lack the medical credentials required to serve at a referral hospital.
Mr. Mabior dismissed the claim, insisting that he and his colleagues possess the necessary qualifications to work at Bor Referral Hospital. He added that they agreed to partially reopen the facility and are willing to dialogue with the State Ministry of Health.
Despite partial reopening, civil society groups remain alarmed. James Mayang, Secretary General of the Jonglei State Civil Society Network, stressed that denying patients access to health care violates the Constitution of South Sudan, which guarantees the right to health.
“This incident is uncalled for and we don’t want it. It is a total violation of the Constitution of South Sudan, because the Constitution guarantees access to health. We have seen its impact with our naked eyes.” Manayng said.
Mr. Mayang called for accountability from the protesting doctors for the lives lost and the denial of health care services. He said they recorded at least two deaths and several gate deliveries during the shutdown.
Meanwhile, Dr. Reath, the Director General at the Ministry of Health in Jonglei State, explained that Bor Main Referral Hospital lacked specialists, which is why restructuring was necessary to improve health care quality.
“The hospital was operating without a surgeon, without a physician, among other specialists. It was operating with few medical officers, and some clinical officers were promoted to medical officers or medical doctors. But we can’t work like that.’’ Reath stated.
Dr. Reath said many of the protesting pre-medics have served at the hospital for years but lack the credentials required for specialized services.
He added that the clinicians were transferred along with their incentives and other benefits, which they rejected. He further noted that the State leadership has been notified and will help resolve the matter.
Bor State Hospital is the major referral facility serving large populations within and beyond Jonglei State. However, it has long suffered a shortage of specialized doctors. The Ministry of Health says it has now recruited three specialists, including a surgeon and a physician, to handle major and critical services at the hospital.
According to the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 (as amended 2013), Article 31 grants citizens the right to health care:
“All levels of government shall promote public health, establish, rehabilitate and develop basic medical and diagnostic institutions, and provide free primary health care and emergency services for all citizens.”
According to the 1949 Geneva Convention and additional protocols, Article 14 states:
“Hospital and safety zones may be established for the wounded, sick, and aged, children under 15, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven.”
Editor’s: “This story was produced with support from Journalists for Human Rights under the Tackling Mis/Disinformation Project, funded by the Government of Canada’s Peace and Stabilization