South Sudan’s health minister after a visit to Bor Hospital in Jonglei state last week said the ministry and health partners will look into improving the facility.
Minister Riek Gai Kok while addressing the press in Bor on Friday said the hospital is in a sorry state as patients stay in the open due to lack of space to accommodate the large numbers.
“I have been hearing from Dr. Kuai (Jonglei health minister) that there is a rise in malaria cases, especially in this season. And so we came and we have seen for ourselves. Children are sleeping on the ground and in the open because wards are overwhelmed,” he explained.
The minister said he will convene a meeting on the health concerns in Jonglei with the ministry officials in Juba this week and launch an appeal to the health agencies operating in the country to intervene.
Minister Gai was accompanied by officials from the national health ministry and a delegation from Egypt who also pledged to support the hospital.
Many parts of Jonglei State have reported increased malaria cases amidst lack of health facilities and drugs, especially during the rainy season.