By Wek Atak
Tired female doctor in personal protective equipment PPE feeling depressed after difficult stressful shift during Covid-19 pandemic, sitting on floor in hospital. Overwhelmed health care workers.
The Director of the Health Department in Nagero County, Loura Francis, has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government and the health partners to intervene urgently and save patients caught in the healthcare crisis affecting the region.
This plea comes at a critical juncture as healthcare workers in the county have initiated a strike due to unpaid salaries, leaving healthcare services paralyzed and countless lives at risk.
For over six months, medical staff in Nagero County have not received their incentives, prompting widespread frustration and eventual strikes.
Loura emphasized the severe implications of this situation, stating, “The strike by healthcare staff in Nagero County highlights critical issues regarding payment delays and the sustainability of healthcare services in conflict-affected regions like Western Equatoria.”
“Without timely compensation, it becomes increasingly difficult for healthcare professionals to maintain their commitment to serving their communities,” said Luara.
The repercussions of the ongoing strike are not limited to Nagero County alone; they resonate across the Western Equatoria region, underscoring deep-rooted challenges within South Sudan’s healthcare system.
Medical staff, who often serve as the backbone of their communities, rely on regular wages to support their families and continue providing essential services. However, the lack of timely payments has left them struggling to make ends meet, leading to growing dissatisfaction and eventual work stoppages.
In Nagero County, the strike has left the region’s healthcare infrastructure hanging by a thread, with patients desperately needing attention and vital medical services unavailable.
Families face heartbreak as they witness their loved ones suffer, and many fear that preventable deaths will occur if immediate action isn’t taken.
Other areas within Western Equatoria are experiencing similar distress. For instance, Tombura County Hospital has also been affected, with 69 medical staff members striking due to unpaid salaries since January 2025.
Although partial payments were made for earlier months, they have been insufficient to alleviate the financial strain faced by healthcare workers, deepening their discontent.
These incidents highlight a broader systemic issue impacting South Sudan’s healthcare sector. The failure to compensate medical staff in a timely manner not only disrupts essential health services but also erodes trust and morale within the workforce. Without urgent intervention and reform, the consequences of these challenges will continue to ripple through communities already grappling with conflict and resource shortages.
The appeal made by Loura Francis is a desperate call to safeguard the lives of vulnerable patients and ensure the continuity of healthcare services in one of South Sudan’s most affected regions.
It is a stark reminder that prompt and sustainable action is necessary to support healthcare workers, address systemic deficiencies, and preserve the well-being of countless individuals. For Nagero County, immediate intervention could mean the difference between life and death.
