Kajo-keji civil hospital reopens amid concerns over violent incidents

JUBA, FEBRUARY 9^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Medical charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and the government of South Sudan have reopened the Kajo-keji County Civil hospital which had been destroyed during years of conflict, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon by the MSF.

This comes despite escalating insecurity in which 27 people were killed late last week by suspected rebels belonging to the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo and cattle herders believed to have come from Jonglei state.

In the statement this afternoon, MSF said it reopened, with the national ministry of health, the Kajo-keji Civil Hospital, and that the medical institution is currently offering quality healthcare to locals who sometimes had to travel to Juba for treatment.

“On 1 February 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) resumed secondary level healthcare services in the Kajo Keji County Civil Hospital in Kajo Keji County in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan,” the MSF statement reads in part.

“The Kajo Keji County Civil Hospital, largely destroyed in the conflict previously, has started to offer quality healthcare in maternity, emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), surgery and internal medicine. Within 24 hours of the opening,” the statement said.

It said that “the hospital received nine patients with gunshot wounds following unexpected incidents of violence, MSF is concerned that any further violent incidents, that cause much suffering and loss of lives, may also prevent people from coming to the hospital to seek the medical care they need.”

Jocelyn Yapi, MSF head of mission in South Sudan, said the launch is a remarkable step to the people in need.

“The launch of the much-needed medical services in the hospital will help to ensure that people in Kajo Keji County are able to access quality healthcare for free. MSF is pleased to collaborate with Ministry of Health and other actors to provide medical humanitarian assistance where it is needed, including in response to incidents of violence,” he said.

Kajo Keji, one of the six counties of Central Equatoria, was severely affected by violence in 2017, resulting in majority of the population fleeing to the refugee camps in Uganda.

Some displaced communities have been returning to Kajo Keji to re-settle in their homeland and begin to cultivate their lands. However, a limited functioning health care system remains a major challenge. Out of 49 Primary Health Facilities in Kajo Keji, only 25 are functional including 22 supported by non-government organisations.

The local authorities and community have expressed appreciation and happiness over MSF’s support to re-establish the secondary level medical activities in the county.

“The hospital is coming back. I’m so happy that MSF are going to help our people in Kajo Keji County,” said Kiden Harriet Mickael, MoH Clinical Officer.

“I am very glad that our hospital is open today. Since we have gone to exile, there was no proper hospital to manage our pregnant women, children and our parents. I am very glad that you [MSF] are going to open the hospital for us,” Alice added.

In the first 24 hours of the opening of the hospital, nine gunshot patients were rushed at the hospital following a violent incident in the county. Of these nine patients, three were children. They were reportedly injured as a result of shooting in the area.

The patients were provided emergency care at the hospital and those in need of more specialised attention were referred to the healthcare facilities in other areas.

“Violent incidents like this are of grave concern to MSF because they lead to suffering, loss of lives and displacement of the people. Insecurity may make it too dangerous or risky for the patients to seek the healthcare they need at clinics and medical facilities like the Kajo Keji hospital,” Jocelyn Yapi added.