The commissioner of Duk Panyang County of Jonglei State says months of heavy floods have led to a deteriorating health situation.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on the regular programme 'With the Commissioners', Commissioner John Chatim said the county was cut off from the rest of the state due to floods that occurred from July to December 2019.
He pointed out that lack of health services had led to rising cases of tuberculosis and malaria in the county. “There are four cases of tuberculosis and five kala-azar cases. These patients have been sick for months without treatment. Malaria and skin diseases are also on the rise,” Chatim said.
He added, “We appeal to the government and health agencies in the country to intervene”.
On his part, Samuel Gai Tut, the acting county health director confirmed the rise in cases of malaria and tuberculosis. He said on average, an estimated 150 typhoid and malaria cases are diagnosed in the county every day, but no treatment is given.
Gai appealed for intervention before the health situation in the county deteriorates further.
Close to 1 million people in many parts of South Sudan have been directly affected by flooding that destroyed 73,000 metric tons of potential harvests and wiped out tens of thousands of cattle and goats on which people depend for survival.
In October 2019, the government of South Sudan declared a state of emergency in Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Upper Nile and Greater Equatoria because of the floods, calling for international assistance to be stepped up.