The ambitious project to construct a concrete perimeter fence around Bor State Hospital has stalled due to a shortage of funds despite pledges made by high-ranking officials, including Jonglei Governor Denay Jock Chagor.
A governor’s broken promise
In March 2022 during a public fundraising event, Governor Chagor pledged a generous donation of SSP 20 million, the equivalent of USD 50,000 at the time, to support the hospital’s infrastructure development. However, as the months passed and the hospital administration, health workers, and patients eagerly awaited the much-needed financial boost, the promised funds have never materialized to date.
Chot Kueth Kulang, the Director General of the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, expressed frustration over the delay.
“During the first fundraising, some of the people managed to give us their pledges but others did not. The amount we got last time together with Former Health Minister Atong Kuol was USD 23,000,” he revealed. “This is the amount we managed to lay the foundation of the fence but we got stuck because the other pledges were not brought. Up to now, we are still contacting those who pledged.”
A baby stolen
Last month, a heartbreaking incident occurred at the hospital—a baby was stolen. The director of Bor State Hospital, Dr. Bol Chau Manyang, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that a 9-day-old baby was allegedly stolen from her mother’s bedside from the maternity ward at the hospital.
According to Health Ministry Director General Director Kueth, this tragic event underscores the urgency of securing the hospital premises. He said the concrete fence would act as a barrier against such incidents, preventing unauthorized access, ensuring a secure environment within the hospital premises, preventing theft, and ensuring the safety of vulnerable patients and healthcare staff.
“This hospital is a state hospital and everyone comes in so the staff, patients, and visitors need to be protected and that is why the state health ministry decided to build a concrete fence,” he emphasized. “And that decision was not just made by the ministry, it was tabled by the state council ministers and they approved it and we came and did the fundraising.”
An urgent appeal for action
Bol Deng Bol, the executive director of the advocacy group, INTREPID South Sudan, urged the well-wishers to fulfil their pledges for swift completion of the Bor State Hospital’s concrete fence for the benefit of the less privileged and well-being of the community.
“Bor State Hospital serves as the referral hospital for the counties and it also used to serve the Greater Pibor Administrative Area two years ago. It is imperative that the hospital is equipped and its infrastructure is safe. I therefore call on the Governor Denay Jock Chagor to rejuvenate and supervise this initiative,” he stated. “The health minister should see to it that last year’s pledges are paid or explore other sources of funding, including another fundraising.”
Deng said his civil society organization will be monitoring every step of the construction of the fence including the management of funds that are locally collected.
When contacted for comment about the governor’s delay in fulfilling his pledge, Ruach Wanlow, the governor’s press secretary, offered no clarity.
“Up to now I do not have any information,” he responded.
The hospital fence project was initiated in 2022 by Atong Kuol Manyang, the former state health minister before she was relieved and appointed the state minister of animal resources, fisheries, and tourism.
According to Kuol, the estimated budget for completing the concrete fence stands at USD 300,000 and she, during her tenure as health minister, had appealed to well-wishers and donors to contribute the needed funds.
Security and safety imperatives
Bor State Hospital was established between 1952 and 1954 as a referral medical facility to serve patients not only from Jonglei State but also surrounding areas such as Lakes State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA). The health facility was initially fenced with barbed wire which was replaced with the current iron sheet fence which was constructed in 2008 at the cost of SSP 200,000 (USD 70,000) at the time which was raised through public fundraising.
The iron sheet fence has since become weak, eroded, and unsafe and no longer provides adequate security. Intruders, including mentally ill individuals, drunkards, criminals, and domestic animals often breach the hospital’s perimeter and pose a threat to the hospital’s operations.