The Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) has plunged into a serious health crisis following the exit of the healthcare workers due to the threats of the local youth.
Media reported that Pibor Town, an area that housed a number of health workers attached to the non-governmental organizations, now bears the brunt of the health crisis attributable to the evacuation of the workers due to hostility from the residents.
“The situation for us is very terrible. After the aid workers evacuated, there are no good services at the Pibor PHCC. Again, the floods are still there,” Simon Rasho, one Pibor resident, was quoted by Radio Tamazuj saying.
The GPAA health minister John Achon Giro lamented the squalid situation saying it could even deteriorate further and the humanitarian needs could continue to pile up if no remedial action would be taken.
“Aid workers have been supporting our works. So, since the evacuation, we are facing some health issues. Access to some health services is no more because of the lack of funds. Two weeks ago, we received Covid-19 vaccines. We are not able to train vaccinators and launch the program because our partners are not there,” Achon said as quoted by Radio Tamazuj.
“After the aid workers left, there have been no medical supplies amid the rising floodwaters. So, we appeal to our partners to come and salvage the situation. No one will harm them because the youth agreed to desist from violence and as a government we are there for them,” he added.
Not only has the problem affected the medical centers and the personnel, but also the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine stalled.
On October 7, Pibor Administrative Area vowed to protect the health workers from the threats of attacks from the local youth who had given them 72 hours to leave the area.
Speaking to The City Review on phone, Information Minister and Pibor Administrative Area Spokesperson Jay Adangor expressed concerns that the exit of the workers could roil the gains made in stabilizing healthcare in the area.
Mr. Adangor went on to promise the NGOs that there were efforts to beef up security and that there was no need to evacuate the employees/.
“As a government, we tell those organizations that are supposed to vacate today (Wednesday) to remain in their respective compounds under the protection of the government,” said Mr. Adangor. He went on to add: “…whenever, humanitarian organizations are evacuated from an area, the humanitarian services in that particular area will be affected.”
‘‘…we are trying very hard because that evacuation was not planned by the communities who are receiving the services or by the government.”