South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Tuesday issued a decree removing the undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Makur Matur Koryom.

Dr. Koryom was appointed to the position in 2012. It remains unclear why he was fired.

In another decree, Kiir appointed Dr. Mayen Machut Achiek as the new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Mayen was the Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Juba.

Dr. Thuou Loi Cingoth, the health ministry’s spokesperson, declined to comment on the removal of Dr. Makur Koryom.

“I cannot comment on the decree issued by the president removing the undersecretary. It is only the office of the president that can comment on the decree,” Dr. Loi told Radio Tamazuj.

The change comes as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Ministry of Health reported 72 more coronavirus cases on Thursday bringing the national tally to 1,670. 

Health experts have raised concerns that the poor healthcare system in South Sudan could cause havoc.