The main hospital in Lakes state is struggling to cope with the influx of wounded from clashes between SPLA and rebels in neighboring Unity state. 

Heavy casualties are reported from fighting in Unity state as the army tries to advance on the capital Bentiu after having lost the city two weeks ago. The fighting appears to have been limited mainly to Mayom and Rubkona counties.

Lakes Minister of Health Marik Nanga Marik told Radio Tamazuj today that the Rumbek hospital does not have enough medical supplies and staff to cope with the influx of wounded from recent fighting in Mayom County.

“The number of wounded from the ongoing fighting is 86. The hospital is small and it’s not capable of treating all the wounded arriving from the areas where there are hostilities, besides the civilians who need the hospital services,” he told Radio Tamazuj.

Marik explained that the hospital only has four doctors who can perform surgeries, which is affecting the treatment of the wounded. He called on the national health ministry to provide more assistance to deal with the situation.

File photo: Wounded soldiers lie in bed at the general military hospital Juba, 28 December 2013. (Reuters/James Akena)