Lainya County in Central Equatoria State is facing a severe shortage of medicines, making it increasingly difficult for local communities to access necessary healthcare.
The county’s medical director, Mr. Julius Luate, spoke to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, explaining that the last shipment of drugs to the area is insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population, which he said has been steadily increasing due to the return of displaced persons.
“If you visit any of the health facilities, you will find that there are no drugs available. The recent supply was very limited and will not last even three months. With the return of people from neighboring countries, the population continues to rise, but healthcare services remain extremely inadequate,” he said.
He added that patients face significant challenges in obtaining medications. When prescriptions are made, he said, patients are often forced to buy drugs from private clinics, which are scarce in the Payams.
“Since July, there has been no payment for the newly selected staff members, and some have already started leaving their posts. This is causing a severe shortage of healthcare personnel, and the community is suffering as a result,” Luate said. “In areas like Jamara, there is no drug shop or clinic.”
For his part, County Commissioner Robert John Morris called on the state government to urgently address the health sector’s challenges. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the county hospital’s current status and resisting proposals to downgrade it to a primary healthcare facility.
“We urge the state government to intervene and address the current crisis in the health sector. Changing the county hospital to a primary health care facility would be detrimental, as it serves as a critical healthcare hub for the entire region,” Morris said.
The health sector in Lainya has been grappling with numerous issues, including staff shortages, inadequate drug supplies, and a lack of fuel to operate the county’s only ambulance, which is stationed in Jamara, Kupera Payam. These challenges have made it difficult to respond effectively to emergencies, further exacerbating the health crisis.