Community leaders in Tambura County in Western Equatoria state have expressed serious fears over the planned closure of 14 health centers due to a lack of funding.
The shutdown threatens essential services for approximately 88,664 people, including IDPs, returnees, and refugees across 14 camps.
The leaders are appealing to the government and partners to restore health services and support the affected communities.
A delegation from Tambura visited Yambio and met with state health ministry officials to formally raise their complaint over the planned closure of the health facilities.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Moses Mercy Cele, the acting executive director in Tambura County who headed the team, said the visit aimed to assess the health situation in Tambura and advocate for the affected communities.
“Based on the statistics, Tambura has been marginalized and ignored. There is misinformation circulating that there are no people in Tambura, which is entirely false,” he stated. “Many people, including vulnerable groups, are here, and cutting services feels like a betrayal.”
Mercy warned that closing the health facilities could lead to increased deaths, particularly maternal and child mortality, due to the large number of women and children in the county.
“Tambura borders the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR), and the situation is already critical,” he added. “Since last year, we have received consignments irregularly, and people are dying. Immediate action is needed.”
For his part, Edward Dazangapai, the County Health Director, criticized the plan, questioning why Tambura alone among the state’s ten counties is being affected.
“The decision should have involved local consultation. Cutting 14 facilities is tantamount to endangering the community,” he stated. “The state and national governments, along with partners, must urgently review this.”
Meanwhile, Banaisa Thomas Sigini, the acting paramount chief of Tambura, echoed the concerns, noting that residents are unhappy and the decision to close health facilities is questionable.
“Those claiming Tambura has few people need to verify for themselves,” he said. “There are women, children, the elderly, and 88,000 community members there, not including those who fled to Ezo and Yambio.”
The chief urged the government and development partners to intervene.
James Abdallah Arona, the state health minister, thanked the Tambura delegation for presenting the community’s concerns. He explained that the health sector transformation project, launched in 2024, initially received support from seven donors, but two later withdrew, affecting funding.
“Currently, only a few staff and facilities may be closed, while others may be combined. Out of 145 health facilities, 27 may be cut, leaving 118 functional,” he said. “We are awaiting the final response from Juba.”
The minister reassured that the government and partners are working to ensure continued support for Western Equatoria State and South Sudan.