Bor health workers stage strike over unpaid incentives

Health workers in primary health care centres in Bor County, Jonglei State, have gone on strike, citing six months of unpaid incentives from a supporting health partner, disrupting essential medical services.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the workers said they had repeatedly raised concerns with authorities and implementing partners but had not received payment, forcing them to suspend services until the matter is resolved.

“We have waited for too long. Every time we are promised payment, but nothing happens,” said Majak Daniel Thiek, a health worker at Anyidi Primary Health Care Centre. “We cannot continue working under these conditions without receiving what we are owed.”

The strike is expected to affect vulnerable groups, including children due for routine immunization and pregnant women who rely on antenatal care services.

“This decision was not easy, but we had no alternative,” Thiek said. “It is the community that will suffer most, especially mothers and children who depend on these services.”

Bor County Health Department Director Gabriel Mabil Aguek confirmed receiving formal notice from the striking workers and acknowledged the severity of the situation.

“I understand the concerns raised by our health workers, and we are taking this matter seriously,” Aguek said. “I will engage the health partner and the state government to ensure that the pending incentives are addressed within one week.”

He appealed for calm, saying efforts were underway to resolve the dispute.

“We are committed to finding a solution as quickly as possible,” he said. “I urge the health workers to be patient as we follow up with the responsible partners to expedite the payments.”

Officials said the crisis is not limited to Bor County and has affected primary health care centres in several counties across Jonglei State, raising concerns about wider disruptions to health services if the issue persists.

Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the partner responsible for the delayed payments.

Most primary health care centres in South Sudan depend heavily on donor funding to support staff incentives and basic services, due to limited government health financing.