Health authorities in Twic East County in Jonglei State have decried a shortage of life-saving medicines in the county.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Dr. Chol Leek, the county health director, said they had run out of life-saving medicines since last week because a consignment supplied two months ago is depleted.
“Our last consignment was on 26 September. It was supposed to last for three months but they are now over. Given the reduced water levels, major cases are diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia,” he said. “Compared to months before August, the number of patients is reducing but our concern is that Christmas is approaching.”
The county health director called on aid agencies to supply them with drugs as soon as possible.
For his part, Deng Mabeny, the county commissioner, said the situation is alarming in Twic East.
“The challenge comes with a drop of water and that means there will be no accessibility. It has been quite a long time without medical supplies. People have suffered,” he said.
Mary Atem, a Panyagoor town resident, also appealed for drug supplies saying due to the shortage, they are forced to buy drugs from private clinics where theya re sold at exhobitant prices.