By Yien Gattuor

The government’s main referral hospital in the Ruweng Administrative Area, Parieng has been hit by drugs shortage.

This came after six other Primary Health Care units (PHCC) operating in the Counties reported a similar case last week.

Achol Bol, the area Minister of Health in Ruweng administrative areas (RAA) said they last received a consignment of drugs from Juba in June.

She acknowledged the key role UNICEF is playing regarding drug supply in the area but said the organization has not been able to access the area due to flooding.

“I am aware of the suffering of our community because we stayed for four months without drug supplies at Parieng Hospital and the rest of the health facilities that the community used to get some medication when there were patients,” she said.

“Yes, absolutely Abiemnhom received the drug supplies this week on Monday and it was confirmed by the health authority to me on Monday.”

The ministry assured the community of the government’s commitment to addressing the crises, saying UNICEF had promised to supply the drugs in all units within this week.

Meanwhile, a resident of Parieng  Peter Manyang said the situation of treatment at Parieng Hospital and the rest of the health facilities has overwhelmed the situation of the people.

“The delaying of drug supplies caused suffering since July we have been depending on the private drug shops.”

“But people are not same, some can afford to buy but some cannot,” he said

Late September, health authorities in Abiemnom County of Ruweng Administrative Area appealed to health partners to support the hospital with essential drug supplies after the facility ran out of stock.

The international health charity Care International, which was the health partner supporting the hospital, withdrew, a situation that put medics at the Abiemnom hospital in desperate need of assistance.

The Abiemnom County Health Director, Simon Mayol, explained at the time that the situation was dire in the county, revealing that the facility had received funding in June, supplies that had by the time been depleted.