Health authorities, religious leaders, and community representatives in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, have demanded improved healthcare services due to critical shortages of essential medicines, specialist doctors, and medical supplies. This appeal was made during a thanksgiving prayer and the reopening of the renovated County Health Department office in Yei on Saturday, October 27, 2026. The event brought together various stakeholders to address the pressing healthcare needs in the county.
Anglican Bishop Emeritus Hillary Luate emphasized the need for strengthened healthcare delivery, citing the difficulties faced by residents in accessing essential medical services. He noted that the shortage of medicines forces patients to purchase them, which can be challenging for those who cannot afford them. Bishop Luate stressed that improved healthcare services are crucial for raising living standards in the county, which faces difficult conditions.
The Gender Department's Acting Director, Ajania Amude, called for equal access to reproductive health services for women and girls, highlighting the importance of addressing their specific needs. She also emphasized the need for greater public awareness to prevent gender-based violence. Amude stated that the department of health should raise awareness on reproductive health, prevention of gender-based violence, and the importance of antenatal care.
County Health Director Simon Sebit Musoga reaffirmed his department's commitment to improving healthcare services and strengthening health facilities across the county's five payams. He outlined priorities, including strengthening primary health care services, supporting health facilities and health workers, improving maternal and child health programs, promoting immunization, enhancing disease surveillance, and ensuring that communities receive accurate health information.
Emmanuel Taban Seme, caretaker commissioner of Yei River County, appealed to the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health to ensure the timely delivery of medicines to health facilities. He warned that delays could lead to drugs expiring before they are used, emphasizing the need for efficient logistics and distribution. Seme's appeal aims to prevent wastage of donated medicines and ensure that they reach the intended beneficiaries.
The stakeholders' appeals highlight the multifaceted challenges facing healthcare in Yei River County, from infrastructure and personnel to access and awareness. Addressing these challenges will require a coordinated effort from local authorities, health professionals, and international partners. The reopening of the renovated County Health Department office is a step towards improving healthcare services, but sustained efforts are needed to achieve lasting impact.
The renewed commitment to improving healthcare services in Yei River County is a positive development, but its success will depend on effective implementation and collaboration among stakeholders. The county's residents eagerly await tangible improvements in healthcare delivery, which will significantly enhance their quality of life. Authorities must now translate their commitments into action to address the pressing healthcare needs in the county.
Key points
- Yei leaders demand improved healthcare services amid critical shortages of essential medicines, specialist doctors, and medical supplies.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for equal access to reproductive health services for women and girls.
- Authorities appeal for timely delivery of medicines to health facilities to prevent wastage and ensure effective use.
