Health authorities in Western Equatoria State are considering introducing small and affordable patient fees at Yambio State Hospital as financial constraints continue to threaten the delivery of essential healthcare services.
The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Konjo Samuel, said declining government funding and reduced donor support have left the facility struggling to meet the costs of medicines, staff salaries, ambulance maintenance and other critical operations.
Dr. Samuel explained that the hospital has faced persistent shortages of medicines, specialist doctors and other health workers since it was downgraded from a state hospital to a county-level facility.
Despite the change in status, he said the hospital continues to serve patients from across Western Equatoria State as well as neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
He said the state government should provide direct financial support to help sustain essential services and improve the welfare of health workers.
At the same time, he suggested that a cost-sharing arrangement involving modest patient contributions could help keep the hospital operational.
However, Dr. Samuel stressed that any decision to introduce patient fees would require approval from both the Western Equatoria State government and the national Ministry of Health, saying the hospital cannot implement such a policy on its own.
He added that any proposed charges would remain affordable and would be designed to ensure that vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women and emergency patients continue to receive treatment without being turned away.
The proposal comes as health facilities across South Sudan face increasing financial pressure amid declining donor funding and growing demand for healthcare services.
Additional reporting by Radio Miraya.
