Local authorities in Alali Payam in Akobo County, Jonglei State, have said that the area has run out of essential medicines amidst a rise in diarrheal and respiratory infections.
The area’s payam administrator, Oballa Ojulu Obokgoi, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the situation is dire and that residents only rely on traditional medicines.
“Diarrheal and respiratory infections and suspected cases of malaria are on the rise. As authorities, we are not able to help our people,” he said. “So, the locals only treat themselves with roots and leaves of herbs and trees. This situation is a difficult one.”
Ojulu called for urgent intervention and said locals who do not respond to herbal treatment seek medication in Ethiopia.
“The last time we received some medical supplies was in February 2022. For over a year now, severely ill patients who are not responding to herbal medicines are carried on a stretcher to Ethiopia,” he said. “Sometimes we buy drugs from Gambella but they are insufficient.”
Meanwhile, a community chief, Philip Omot Jook, confirmed that there are no drugs in the area.
“Lack of drugs is a big problem in Alali and our children are suffering. There are a lot of mosquitoes and it is also cold so there many cases of malaria and diarrhea,” he lamented. “We only have herbal medicines at our disposal. Sometimes, our community members in the diaspora and Juba or Bor come to our aid by donating drugs.”
On his part, John Okei Okei, a lawmaker representing the area in the state legislative assembly, echoed the call for assistance.
“There are no drugs at all because our area seems to have been neglected by government and aid agencies. The last consignment thee was our donation as a community,” he said. “The situation is dire because our area is cut off from the rest of the state. My appeal is that aid agencies assess the area and come to our aid.”